Low INTERMACS Profiles: Temporary Midterm Paracorporeal VAD Support

Low INTERMACS profiles encompass a clinical spectrum which ranges from patients on intravenous inotropes with acceptable hemodynamics but deteriorating end-organ function (INTERMACS II) at one end to those in extremis requiring immediate circulatory support (INTERMACS I) at the other end. In all cases, the primary goal is prompt restoration of end-organ perfusion and oxygen delivery, with the aim of bridging patients to myocardial recovery or, in cases with no potential for cardiac recovery, more permanent forms of cardiac replacement therapy.