Methods and systems for counterpulsation of blood flow to and from the circulatory system

A counterpulsation method of assisting the heart of a patient using a pump assist system, the method comprising:

• coupling a first conduit to the cardiovascular system in the chest cavity of the patient, connecting a first port of a pulsatile pump to the first conduit, implanting the pump in the patient outside of the chest cavity and outside of the abdominal cavity of the patient, connecting a driver unit to the pump, and coordinating the operation of the pulsatile pump with the driver unit to suction blood from the cardiovascular system through the first port and the first conduit while the heart is in systole and expel the blood into the first port and the first conduit and the cardiovascular system while the heart is in diastole wherein operation of the pump includes delivering a fluid from the driver unit to the pump.