Abstract: An implantable VAD (preferably an LVAD) includes a compliance chamber which forms a reservoir for liquid extending from adjacent the bottom of the compliance chamber upwardly towards the top of the compliance chamber, and a chamber for gas disposed above the liquid reservoir and extending upwardly to the top of the compliance chamber. The gas chamber is in gaseous communication with a blood pump via a conduit. A subcutaneous port is in liquid and gaseous communication with the liquid reservoir via a second conduit for introducing make-up gas into or removing excess gas from the gas chamber via the liquid reservoir and for removing accumulated liquid from the liquid reservoir. An outlet cannula comprises a hard polymer tubing commencing adjacent the pump and a relatively soft graft tubing terminating adjacent the tube adapted to enter the aorta, a distal end of the hard polymer tubing and a proximal end of the graft tubing being secured together by a snap-fit connector.