Clinical application of the ventricular assist devices in Japan. 
From 1980 to March in 1989, there were 177 clinical application of ventricular assist device in Japan.  Original diseases were 50% ischemic heart disease and 37% valvular disease.  Duration of assistance ranged from one hour to 70 days.  Thirty-one cases weaned from ventricular assistance and 11 cases became long-time survivors.