Abstract: A device to reduce left ventricle afterload in a target blood vessel in a mammal includes a cushion configured for positioning within a lumen of the target blood vessel and receipt of a fluid and configured to contract during systole and expand during diastole, a reservoir having a cavity for receiving the fluid, and a conduit extending between and fluidically coupling the cushion and the reservoir, whereby during use fluid in the cushion is transferred to the reservoir during systole and returned to the cushion during diastole. The cushion has an annular cross section defining a central lumen for blood flow and is configured for positioning in the lumen of the target vessel abutting an inner wall of the target vessel, whereby during use blood flow is directed through the central lumen of the cushion.

Abstract: A vascular graft comprising a proximal section, iliac distal legs and a bifurcation blending section (7) between the proximal section and the distal legs. The cross-sectional area of the proximal section at the bifurcation point is less than or equal to the sum of the two cross sectional areas of both iliac legs. The blending section (7) generates a smooth transition from the proximal section to both iliac legs which minimizes wave reflections by ensuring that the area ratio at the bifurcated junction (7) is as close to unity or greater than unity as possible. The blending section (7) defines a first lumen for fluid flow from the proximal section into the first distal leg, and a separate second lumen for fluid flow from the proximal section into the second distal leg. The two lumen are separated by means of a gradual flow which separates the fluid flow from the proximal section into each lumen.