Abstract: A device for assisting the functioning of a heart has elastic filling chambers attached to an elastic cover which can be placed at least partially around the heart. The filling chambers can be repetitively filled and emptied to exert mechanical pressure on a region of a pumping chamber of the heart.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for assisting cardiac function having the following atures:at least one half-shell is provided, the interior and exterior contours of which are designed in such a manner that it can be inserted into the human thorax in such a manner that it at least partially surrounds the heart with the exception of the arteries leading to and away from the heart,in or at the half-shell respectively half-shells is situated at least one filling chamber which can be inflated with gas and is propped by the shell,a control unit controls a pneumatic drive which fills and empties the individual filling chambers in such a manner that said filling chambers press at least on the left ventricle synchronously with cardiac activity in such a manner that blood is pressed into the aorta.