Doctors at the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital believe that this is the first truly acceptable solution for long-term support of heart failure patients because it allows them to leave the hospital and return to active, productive lives. The HeartMate is too large for implantation in most women and some men, however. In addition, the FDA notes that implanting the device requires major surgery with the risk of “life-threatening side effects.”

HeartMate is known as a left ventricular assist device because it helps the left ventricle – the heart's main pumping chamber – circulate blood throughout the body. The device consists of a pump that is implanted in the abdomen, which has an electrical cable and air vent that connects to external battery packs. The packs are worn on the shoulders and electronic controls are worn on the belt.