the cath lab and by cardiac surgeons in the OR (operating room), TandemHeart® can provide up to 5.0 lpm of circulatory support when used percutaneously, and up to 8.0 lpm of circulatory support with a direct surgical cannulation method. TandemHeart® is comprised of three major sub-systems: (1) the TandemHeart® Pump provides circulating power to pull oxygenated blood from the left atrium and to return it to the systemic arterial circulation; (2) the TandemHeart® Cannulae Set connects the pump to the body by way of two percutaneous access points in the patient’s groin; and (3) the TandemHeart® Controllers provide operating power to the pump, provides a controlled flow of lubricant to the pump, and also provides automatic system-monitoring and alarms that indicate conditions which require immediate attention