The key to the successful implantation of a left ventricular assist system (LVAS) for patients with end stage cardiac disease is whether the functions of other vital organs are irreversibly damaged or not. The portable cardiopulmonary support system (PCPS) is not only as convenient as, but is more powerful than, the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in resuscitating impaired end organ function. To investigate the efficacy of PCPS in end stage cardiac disease, end organ function before and after the application of PCPS was retrospectively analyzed for end stage cardiac disease. From 1992 to 1996, five cardiomyopathy patients with deterioration in end organ function, despite application of IABP, underwent PCPS support before implantation of LVAS. Urine volume and levels of liver enzymes (sAST and sALT) and serum creatinine were determined before and after institution of PCPS. After the start of PCPS, the urine output increased significantly (1,840 +/- 450-4,340 +/- 470 ml/day, p < 0.01), and levels of sAST, sALT, and serum creatinine decreased significantly (630 +/- 220-150 +/- 50 IU/L, 630 +/- 260-260 +/- 130 IU/L, and 2.9 +/- 0.5-1.2 +/- 0.1 mg/dl, respectively; p < 0.05). All five patients were successfully bridged to LVAS implantation, and none died of multiple organ failure caused by pre-existing cardiac failure. These results indicate that PCPS before LVAS implantation is useful in resuscitating impaired end organ function and improving the survival rate with LVAS implantation for end stage cardiac disease.