Book excerpt: This issue of Critical Care Clinics focuses on Mechanical Ventilation and Ventricular Assist Devices, with topics including: Targeted management approach to cardiogenic shock; Prevention and treatment of right heart failure during left ventricular assist device support therapy; Complications of durable left ventricular assist device support therapy; Patient and device management on left ventricular assist device support therapy; Challenges and future directions in left ventricular assist device support therapy; Monitoring global and regional mechanics; Asynchrony consequences and management; Determinants and prevention of ventilator-induced lung injury; Extracorporeal gas exchange; Non-invasive options; Mobilization and VIDD avoidance; Initiating and discontinuing invasive support; and Automation of ventilation.