Ventricular assist system and method

A method comprising:

• connecting an inflow cannula of a pump to a portion of a heart of a patient;
• connecting an outlet of the pump to an outflow cannula;
• connecting the outflow cannula to an artery of the patient;
• electrically connecting a plurality of pacing electrodes disposed on an outer surface of the outflow cannula to a controller;
• disposing the plurality of pacing electrodes adjacent to an exterior wall of the heart of the patient;
• and
• delivering a pacing signal from the controller to the heart of the patient utilizing the plurality of pacing electrodes.

An outflow cannula for a ventricular assist system, the outflow cannula comprising:

• a first end adapted to be connected to an outlet of a pump of the ventricular assist system and a second end adapted to be connected to an artery of a patient;
• first and second pacing electrodes disposed on an outer surface of the outflow cannula and adapted to be disposed adjacent to an exterior wall of the heart, wherein each of the first and second pacing electrodes are adapted to be electrically connected to a controller, wherein the first pacing electrode is adapted to deliver a first pacing signal from the controller to the heart and the second pacing electrode is adapted to deliver a second pacing signal from the controller to the heart;
• and
• a conductor disposed on the outer surface of the outflow cannula or within the outflow cannula and adapted to electrically connect the first and second pacing electrodes to the controller.