ISMCS 2025 | magAssist Presents Platform-Based MCS Innovations in Vienna

The 31st Annual Meeting of the International Society for Mechanical Circulatory Support (ISMCS 2025) was held in Vienna, bringing together international experts to discuss recent developments in mechanical circulatory support (MCS), including technology, clinical practice, and standardization. Clinicians, researchers, and industry representatives from around the world shared updates reflecting the evolving MCS landscape.

At ISMCS 2025, magAssist presented its platform-based, multi-scenario MCS developments built on a unified control architecture. The company introduced the MoyoAssist® extracorporeal magnetically levitated short-term circulatory support system (Extra VAD) and the NyokAssist® percutaneous ventricular assist device (pVAD), together with related engineering considerations, clinical application experience, and perspectives on international development. The platform-based architecture and its cross-scenario scalability generated discussion among international peers.

Short-Term Circulatory Support in Clinical Practice

During the conference, Professor Chen Shu from Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, delivered a presentation titled “Recent Advances in Extracorporeal Ventricular Assist Devices in China.” The session shared clinical data and usage experience, contributing observations from China to international discussions on short-term circulatory support.

MoyoAssist® is a fully magnetically levitated extracorporeal ventricular assist device approved by the NMPA. Its design reflects consideration of clinical workflow and application scenarios.

Device Design and Operational Characteristics

MoyoAssist® utilizes a fully magnetically levitated blood pump. Flow field optimization is intended to reduce hemolysis and thrombosis risk. According to reported in vitro testing, its hemolysis performance is comparable to that of international devices in the same category.

The system is designed for use in multiple settings, including the ICU, operating room, and patient transport. The console weighs approximately 8 kg, provides a battery duration of ≥2 hours, and meets IPX4 waterproof requirements to support clinical use in varied environments.

Prospective Study Data and Post-Market Use

Data from a prospective multicenter study involving 40 patients were presented. Reported outcomes included:

• A 30-day survival rate of 62.5%

• Survival rates of 75% in the postoperative cardiogenic shock (PCCS) subgroup and 70% in the bridge-to-transplant (BTT) subgroup

• No serious device-related complications reported during the study period

• Improvement trends in postoperative liver function observed among patients successfully bridged to transplantation

Post-market clinical use has included applications such as bridge-to-transplant and myocarditis recovery support. According to reported data, 74% of patients were successfully weaned from support. In many cases, minimally invasive percutaneous implantation approaches were used. These findings are based on available clinical observations and warrant continued data collection and follow-up.

Circulatory Support During High-Risk PCI

Dr. Wang Rui from Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, presented the SAVE-PCI study, a randomized controlled trial comparing the NyokAssist® small-profile pVAD with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support in elective high-risk PCI. The study, led by a Chinese clinical research team, has been presented at international scientific meetings and contributed to ongoing academic discussion.

Design Considerations

NyokAssist® is designed to balance minimally invasive access with short-term circulatory support requirements. The device uses a 9Fr access profile and a collapsible impeller structure to reduce vascular access size while providing blood flow support suitable for PCI procedures.

The external motor design is intended to simplify device insertion and removal and support procedural efficiency.

RCT Results

The 1:1 randomized controlled study enrolled 236 elective high-risk PCI patients. Reported findings included:

• Improved intra-procedural hemodynamic stability in the NyokAssist® group compared with IABP

• No statistically significant difference in 30-day major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) between groups

• No hemolysis, major bleeding, or severe vascular complications reported during the study period

The study provides additional clinical data for consideration in circulatory support strategies for high-risk PCI patients.

Platform-Based Development and Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

In addition to product-related clinical data, magAssist presented its underlying research and development framework through multiple academic sessions, describing how a platform-based product architecture supports application across different clinical scenarios.

In an industry-focused presentation, Po-Lin Hsu, PhD, founder of magAssist, discussed technology development in the MCS field, including iterative modeling of magnetically levitated blood pumps, platform-based control system design, and planning considerations for multinational clinical studies and regulatory pathways. The presentation emphasized a system-level approach to technology development.

I-Fan Yen, Vice President of magAssist, shared perspectives on evaluation models for key MCS device parameters, including flow targets, operational complexity, human factors, and safety considerations, highlighting the integration of engineering and clinical perspectives.

The Vienna meeting provided an opportunity for magAssist to engage with the international MCS community and exchange perspectives on technology and clinical practice. As its dual-center strategy in China and the United States progresses, the company plans to continue expanding participation in global clinical research, regulatory activities, and collaborative innovation.

Building on its platform-based technology approach, magAssist will continue to advance MoyoAssist®, NyokAssist®, and future modular products in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, with the aim of supporting clinicians and patients in diverse healthcare settings.

About ISMCS

The mission of the ISMCS is to provide a broad international forum for intensive discussion of research, development, clinical use and social acceptance of rotary blood pumps and all related forms of mechanical circulatory support. The ultimate goal is to provide technologies and applications, and clinical procedures for rotary blood pumps and related systems for saving lives, improving the life quality of recipients and for cost-efficient availability of the emerging therapies.