Development and current clinical application of ventricular assist devices in China.

Heart failure has become one of the biggest threats to human health. Transplantation remains the most effective therapy for heart failure, but because of the shortage of donors, it cannot meet the demand. Ventricular assist devices (VADs) were developed to treat heart failure, and have now been clinically applied worldwide. As the country with the largest population, China is also facing the threat of heart failure. However, the development of VADs in China is very slow and is seldom discussed. This paper first talks about the background for VAD development in China. Then several home-developed VADs in China are introduced. The current clinical application status of VADs in China is also presented. Finally the challenge and opportunity for VAD development in China are discussed.