Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is a major health problem with a hgih mortality rate. Its ultimate therapy, heart transplantation, is limited by the shortage of donor hearts. Since decades researchers have been working to solve this problem by developing Mechanical Circulatory Support Systems (MCSS) that can replace or assist the failing heart.

Short-term and intermediate-term ventricular assist devices are nowadays used frequently to help 'bridge' patients with severe heart failure to recovery. Long-term Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) and total Artificial Hearts (TAHs) are used increasingly as a bridge to heart transplantations or a permanent circulatory support in patients with end-stage heart failure who are contraindicated for heart transplantation.

The early TAHs and VADs were mainly driven from an external pneumatic drive unit. The latest generation TAHs and long-term assist devices are electrically powered, ultracompact, totally implantable, and have small wearable drive / control consoles, allowing patients to some of their daily activities.

Yet, VADs and TAHs on the market today and in development by leading suppliers have certain drawbacks. Scandinavian Real Heart AB is addressing these drawbacks in the developmet of the Aros Heart and takes into account all the recent development in flow dynamics, materials science, pump physiology, and device power supply.