Temporary MCS

Chair: Linda Suplicki

Co-Chair: Laura Geer

Contact:  ICCAC@vadcoordinator.org 

ICCAC Temporary MCS Committee Position Statement

Temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS) is a critical, evidence-based component of modern cardiovascular care. It plays a vital role in the management of patients with cardiogenic shock, acute heart failure, high-risk interventions, and other forms of acute hemodynamic compromise who do not respond to optimized medical therapy.

Timely recognition and early initiation of tMCS are essential to improving patient outcomes. When implemented within a coordinated, multidisciplinary care model, tMCS stabilizes circulation, preserves end-organ function, and enables transition to recovery or definitive therapies such as durable support or transplantation.

Our Position

The ICCAC Temporary MCS Committee affirms that:

• tMCS is medically necessary for appropriately selected patients with acute, decompensated, respiratory and/or circulatory failure

• Early identification and rapid deployment are key drivers of survival

• Multidisciplinary team-based care improves coordination and outcomes

• Standardized protocols and pathways ensure appropriate and consistent use

• Ongoing data collection, quality improvement and device development are essential to advancing care

Our Commitment

We are committed to:

•  Promoting evidence-based best practices

• Supporting clinical education and training

• Advancing research and outcomes tracking

• Enhancing equitable access to life-saving therapies

• Fostering collaboration across tMCS professional organizations

Why It Matters

tMCS can mean the difference between irreversible organ failure and recovery. By aligning clinical expertise, systems of care, and timely intervention, we can significantly improve survival and long-term outcomes for patients requiring circulatory support.