Cardiac support device with tension indicator

A device for providing support to a heart having a longitudinal axis from an apex to a base and having an upper portion and a lower portion divided by an A-V groove, the device comprising:

• a jacket of flexible material of open cell construction defining a volume between an open upper end and a lower end, said jacket dimensioned for said apex of said heart to be inserted into said volume through said open upper end and for said jacket to be slipped over said heart, said jacket further dimensioned for said jacket to have a longitudinal dimension between said upper and lower ends sufficient for said jacket to support said lower portion;
• said jacket adapted to be adjusted on said heart to snugly conform to an external geometry of said heart and assume a maximum adjusted volume for said jacket to support said heart;
• an indicator for indicating when said jacket is adjusted on said heart to a desired level of support of said heart, said indicator comprising at least one marker positioned substantially parallel to the longitudinal dimension of said jacket.