The use of percutaneous ventricular assist devices (PVADs) appears to have increased substantially in recent years in the United States, according to a study. This increase appears to be accompanied by a decrease in intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) use. PVAD use grew from 4.6 per million discharges in 2007 to 138 per million in 2012, while IABP use dropped from 1,738 per million discharges to 1,608 per million. However, PVADs were associated with higher mortality and costs, and no clear benefit was seen with use of IABPs.
Source: JAMA Internal Medicine, June 2015.
