Table 16: Features Associated with the Need for Short-term vs. Long-Term MCS
Feature	Temporary Assist	Long Term Assist
Time Period	Emergent (< 24-72 hours) insertion Support time in days	Urgent or elective insertion Support time in weeks to years
Care Setting	Intensive Cardiac Care setting with goal to recovery, transplant, longer term device or palliative care	Post Cardiovascular surgery unit, with goal toward hospital discharge
Infection Control	High risk	Lower risk
Special issues	Frequently ventilated, invasive hemodynamic monitoring and paralysis to deter device migration	Early intensive care, late non-invasive monitoring
Type of Support	May be one or both ventricles, partial or full support. Maximum support usually less than permanent devices	Usually only left ventricular support, able to provide larger amount of support

MCS, mechanical circulatory support.