The current experience in bridging patients to weaning (more than 965 implants) and to transplantation (more than 544 implants) has shown the feasibility of mechanical circulatory support in patients with major cardiac dysfunction, who are unresponsive to optimal medical management. The complications are mostly related to the patient's initial condition at the time of implantation. The rehabilitation of the patient is related to both the extent of recovery from organ dysfunction and the type of device. This analysis proposes some new orientations for research. Firstly, in clinical research, definition of precise indices of the patient condition, not exclusively related to the haemodynamic situation, should allow better patient and device selection. Secondly, in technological research, precise definition of the actual clinical objectives should help in the development of various systems: for resuscitation, for bridging purposes and for long-term or permanent implantation.