[Indication of mechanical circulatory assistance].

Over the last decade, we have seen considerable progress both in medical treatment of acute and chronic heart failure and in circulatory assist systems, including the first used aorta counter-pulse system. More sophisticated systems have been developed with specific indications recognized by specialized teams. However, in the treatment of chronic heart failure, whether caused by idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathies or ischemic heart disease (frequently improved with coronary revascularization), the nature of the disease in patients hospitalized in intensive care units has greatly changed. There is a net tendency towards hospitalizing older patients who may no longer be reasonable candidates for transplantation. The option of circulatory assist is thus undoubtedly reasonable for these patients due to the lack of a sufficient number of donor organs.