WorldHeart buys another ventricular assist device
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
WorldHeart, the Oakland, California firm that makes the Novacor LVAS (left ventricular assist system), has acquired another ventricular assist device (VAD) through the purchase of Salt Lake City, Utah-based MedQuest Products. MedQuest's HeartQuest device is a magnetically levitated centrifugal rotary blood pump, while Novacor is a pulsatile device. WorldHeart says pulsatile systems are best suited for end-stage patients with poor ventricular contractility requiring full support, while rotary devices are better for late-stage patients requiring only partial support.