Abstract: A system for providing ventricular assistance to a heart of a subject, the system including a balloon configured to be inserted into a ventricle of the heart, wherein the balloon is configured to differentially inflate to thereby urge blood towards a semilunar valve of the ventricle; a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the balloon; a pumping mechanism attached to the fluid conduit; and, a controller configured to control the pumping mechanism to thereby selectively supply fluid into the balloon so as to inflate the balloon at least partially in accordance with the cardiac cycle.