In a heartbeat: Tiny propeller keeps blood flowing

In the moments after a heart attack, every second counts. Medical professionals need to act quickly to stabilize the patient and prevent further damage to the heart. Often, that means opening up the chest cavity — a complex and traumatic procedure — and implanting a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to help the weakened heart muscle keep pumping blood throughout the body. Thanks to a new type of LVAD, such an invasive procedure might not be necessary for some heart patients.