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heart, unlike the other muscles in the human body, must function constantly
for us to survive. If it should become sick or injured, it does not
have the luxury of taking a few days off to rest and recover. It must
continuously pump regardless of its condition. Unfortunately, there
are times when the heart becomes so sick that it can no longer work
efficiently enough to sustain itself and the rest of the body. When
this occurs, it needs outside help. This outside assistance is usually
in the form of a medical device or drug that will either aid the heart
in pumping, or take over for it completely.
ABIOMED's mechanical circulatory support devices can help patients
whose heart has suffered a shock either from an acute myocardial
infarction (heart attack) or post open heart surgery. In these cases,
the heart needs temporary support and may recover or the patient
may be transitioned to a longer-term therapy.
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