Continuous aortic flow augmentation: not enough MOMENTUM.

The study by Greenberg et al1 published in this issue of Circulation details the results of the randomized clinical trial known as the Multicenter trial of the Orqis Medical Cancion system for the ENhanced Treatment of heart failure Unresponsive to Medical therapy (MOMENTUM). The Orqis device is a new entry into the field of temporary mechanical circulatory support for severe heart failure. The authors point to the growing number of patients with this condition and the very high in-hospital and short-term mortalities that are typically associated with conventional medical or surgical therapy. Thus, new simple methods of providing temporary circulatory support to allow identification of individuals with reversible dysfunction to improve, while adequately supporting the circulation to prevent multiorgan failure and the high likelihood of death in those without improvement in cardiac function, would be a significant advance in management of this population.