Dear Colleagues,

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) has become a cornerstone in the management of patients with advanced heart failure and cardiogenic shock. Over the past decade, the field has witnessed rapid innovation—from the refinement of short-term percutaneous devices to the evolution of durable left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and total artificial hearts (TAHs). Despite these advances, clinicians and researchers continue to face challenges related to device-related complications, patient selection, weaning strategies, and long-term outcomes.

This Special Issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research, clinical experience, and expert perspectives on the current and future role of MCS in cardiac surgery. This issue will serve as a platform for discussing technological innovations, clinical algorithms, and interdisciplinary approaches that shape the use of MCS in both emergency and chronic settings.

We invite original research articles and reviews on topics including (but not limited to):

• Innovations in short-term MCS (e.g., Impella, VA-ECMO, TandemHeart)
• Long-term support: current generation LVADs and future directions
• Total artificial heart: indications, outcomes, and current limitations
• Patient selection and timing of MCS initiation
• Bridging strategies: to recovery, transplantation, or decision
• Management of complications (e.g., bleeding, thrombosis, infection)
• Weaning and explantation strategies
• Ethical considerations and quality of life with durable MCS
• Pediatric mechanical support: challenges and innovations
• The role of surgical and interventional teams in MCS management

Dr. Anton Sabashnikov and Dr. Ihor Krasivskyi
Guest Editors