Table 1 The commonly used mechanical circulatory support device for acute heart failure

IABP

Counter pulsation

Pulsatile

Upper marker: proximal to ostia of subclavian artery

Lower marker: above celiac trunk [9,10,11]

Contraindications: Aortic insufficiency, aortic dissection or aneurysm

Impella

Axial flow

Continuous

Impella CP: Inflow: 3.5 cm below aortic valve

Impella 5.5: Inflow port 5 cm from the aortic valve plane [14,15,16, 30, 31]

Outflow in ascending aorta

Contraindication: aortic insufficiency, aortic dissection or aneurysm, severe PVD, VSD. Mechanical aortic valve, RV failure

Impella RP

Axial flow

Continuous

Inflow: right atrium or superior vena cava

Outflow: main pulmonary artery or left pulmonary artery [7, 21, 22, 25]

Outflow should be positioned in the main pulmonary artery

Protek Duo

Centrifugal

Continuous

Inflow: superior vena cava to right atrium

Outflow: main pulmonary artery or left pulmonary artery [7, 26,27,28]

Outflow should be positioned in the main pulmonary artery

Tandem Heart

Centrifugal

continuous

Inflow: right atrium or superior vena cava

Outflow: main pulmonary artery or left pulmonary artery

Used with a central VA ECMO device or Protek Duo