C-Pulse heart turbocharger

New Scientist reports on the first patient to be implanted with a C-Pulse, a device designed to "turbocharge" the heart of patients with moderate heart failure, but who do not need a heart transplant or an artificial heart. The C-Pulse consists of an inflatable polyurethane balloon that is pressed against the aorta and kept in place by a polyester wrap stitched around the vessel, and a processor and battery worn by the patient. While the surgery to implant the device was apparenlty succesful, it hasn't yet had to be put to the test.