Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is a lifesaving therapy for patients with advanced heart failure, cardiogenic shock and other complex cardiovascular conditions, after conventional medical and surgical therapies have been exhausted. MCS technology helps support the body with blood and oxygenation for normal organ function, either temporarily or permanently. MCS is used to stabilize patients, improve circulation and promote cardiac recovery or long-term support and patient survival.
At Tampa General Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Institute, the Mechanical Circulatory Support Program offers the full spectrum of temporary and durable MCS therapies in one comprehensive program. Patients benefit from a coordinated, multidisciplinary model of care led by experienced specialists, including Dr. Ioana Dumitru, a triple board-certified advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist and medical director, and Dr. Lucian Lozonschi, the first surgeon in the United States to implant the groundbreaking HeartMate 3™ MCS device in the veteran population.
We offer:
- Temporary support for patients experiencing cardiac emergencies or acute cardiovascular instability
- Durable ventricular assist device therapy for patients with advanced heart failure
- Individualized treatment planning supported by decades of clinical expertise, innovation and research
- Seamless collaboration across advanced heart failure, cardiac surgery, interventional cardiology and critical care teams
Whether a patient needs short-term support after a cardiac emergency or long-term therapy for advanced heart failure, our team provides personalized care designed to meet each patient’s clinical needs and treatment goals.
What Is Mechanical Circulatory Support?
Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) refers to specialized devices that assist the failing heart pump blood to the vital organs when the heart cannot do so on its own. These technologies may be used during a cardiac emergency, while a patient recovers from heart injury or surgery, or as a long-term treatment for advanced heart failure.
Tampa General Hospital offers both temporary mechanical circulatory support and durable mechanical circulatory support.
Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support
Temporary mechanical circulatory support provides rapid cardiovascular support for patients with acute heart failure and/or sudden cardiovascular collapse. These devices can support the left ventricle, right ventricle or both ventricles, helping restore circulation while treating underlying condition to either cardiac recovery or cardiac replacement therapy, durable LVAD or cardiac transplantation.
Temporary MCS is commonly used for patients with:
- Cardiogenic shock[JP1.1]
- Acute heart failure
- Myocardial infarction with complications
- Support during high-risk procedures, including:
- Cardiac procedures, such as PCI and VT ablation
- Non-cardiac procedures, such as bariatric, gastrointestinal, orthopedic, endocrine or trauma surgeries.
Because each patient’s condition is unique, specialists in interventional cardiology, advanced heart failure, cardiac surgery and critical care collaborate in real time to select the best treatment strategy, including device therapy.
Our program offers a full range of temporary MCS devices, including:
Impella CP® with SmartAssist®
A percutaneous transaortic catheter heart pump that is placed in the cardiac catheterization lab for cardiac support in acute myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock or other cardiac interventions like PCI and/or VT ablations.
Impella 5.5® with SmartAssist®
Provides higher-level circulatory support for patients who need longer-term temporary heart assistance as either recovery support, need for non-cardiac surgery, or bridge to cardiac replacement therapy, LVAD or cardiac transplantation.
Impella RP Flex™ with SmartAssist®
Tampa General Hospital was the first hospital in Florida and the fifth in the nation to implant the Impella RP Flex, expanding treatment options for acute right-sided heart failure.
CentriMag™ Acute Circulatory Support System
Provides temporary support for one or both ventricles in patients with severe heart failure and cardiogenic shock who need advanced circulatory assistance.
Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (VA ECMO)
Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) is among the most advanced forms of temporary MCS. Unlike veno-venous ECMO, which provides only oxygenation to the body, VA ECMO supports the entire body with blood and oxygen, taking over cardiac and pulmonary function and allowing total body support while the underlying condition is treated.
Tampa General Hospital’s VA ECMO program’s survival rates are above the national average and rank among the top 4% of academic medical centers. As an Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Gold Center of Excellence, [JP2.1]TGH brings together experienced ECMO specialists, advanced heart failure and interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, intensive care physicians and transplant teams to deliver highly coordinated, world class, specialized care with top national outcomes.
Durable Mechanical Circulatory Support
For patients living with advanced heart failure, durable mechanical circulatory support can restore circulation, improve heart failure symptoms, enhance quality of life and improve meaningful survival.
These surgically implanted left ventricular assist device (LVAD) HeartMate 3 devices may be used as:
- A bridge to heart transplant
- Destination therapy for patients who are not transplant candidates
- Bridge to native cardiac recovery
Whenever appropriate, our surgeons utilize minimally invasive approaches, like lateral thoracotomy techniques, to promote faster recovery.
Why Choose Tampa General Hospital’s Mechanical Circulatory Support Program?
In collaboration with University of South Florida (USF) Morsani College of Medicine and as Florida's premier academic health system™, TGH combines comprehensive, advanced cardiac care with the strength of academic medicine. Since performing Florida’s first successful heart transplant in 1985, the Heart & Vascular Institute has built a long-standing reputation as a leader in mechanical circulatory support therapy. In addition, TGH’s Heart & Vascular Institute has been recognized as the #1 hospital in Tampa Bay for Heart & Vascular Care by U.S. News & World Report for 2026-27.
Our program is among the nation’s most experienced centers for advanced heart failure therapy, including LVAD therapy, and:
- Has implanted more than 800 mechanical circulatory support devices since the inception of the program
- Is one of Florida’s oldest and most experienced MCS programs
- Participated early in all clinical studies related to durable LVAD including HeartMate 3, currently the only commercially available durable LVAD in the United States
- Provides comprehensive care for patients with advanced heart failure, cardiomyopathy and cardiogenic shock
With the full continuum of advanced heart failure care available in one program, patients can access mechanical circulatory support, heart transplant evaluation and long-term follow-up close to home in the Tampa Bay region.
Our Multispecialty Team
Mechanical circulatory support depends on close collaboration among specialists across multiple disciplines. Our team collaborates at every stage of care, from emergency stabilization to recovery, transplant evaluation or long-term ventricular assist device management.
Our multispecialty team includes:
- Advanced heart failure cardiologists
- Cardiac and vascular surgeons
- Interventional cardiologists
- Electrophysiologists
- Intensivists
- Cardiac anesthesiologists
- Perfusionists
- Specialized MCS nurse coordinators
- Critical care nurses
- Pharmacists
- Physical and occupational therapists
- Dietitians
- Psychologists
- Social workers
- Supportive care specialists[JP3.1]
This integrated approach helps ensure patients receive comprehensive, individualized care throughout their treatment journey.
Clinical Research and Innovation
For decades, Tampa General Hospital has advanced mechanical circulatory support through clinical research, innovation and national academic leadership in the field of advanced heart failure.
Our physicians participate in national registries, multicenter clinical trials and research studies that evaluate emerging devices and treatment strategies for temporary and durable mechanical circulatory support.
Current research participation includes:
- Tufts Cardiogenic Shock Working Group Registry
- Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS), funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), for FDA-approved MCS devices
- Multicenter Registry of Impella-Assisted High-Risk Noncardiac Surgery
- Integrate 2.0
- ELSO
In addition to research, our physicians educate healthcare professionals nationwide through specialty publications and medical conferences, helping advance best practices in mechanical circulatory support and improve patient outcomes.
Request an Appointment or Refer a Patient
As part of Tampa General Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Institute, the Mechanical Circulatory Support Program works closely with the Heart Failure Center of Excellence to provide seamless, comprehensive care for patients with advanced cardiac conditions. This integrated model gives patients access to the full spectrum of advanced heart failure therapies, from early intervention through long-term LVAD management and cardiac recovery.
- To learn more about Tampa General Hospital’s Mechanical Circulatory Support Program or schedule an appointment, call (813) 844-8220 or email VADteam@tgh.org.
- Referring physicians may refer patients with advanced heart failure for mechanical circulatory support evaluation as part of TGH’s comprehensive continuum of care. For referrals, call (813) 844-8220 or email VADteam@tgh.org.
- For emergent transfers to TGH, call (813) 844-7979. Our transfer center is available 24 hours a day to coordinate safe, timely patient transfers.
- To refer a patient to the Heart Failure Center of Excellence, use the Heart Failure Referral Form.
