<h3>Purpose</h3> The principal challenges for advancing mechanical support for heart failure are the reduction of surgical complexity and adverse events, and the provision of biventricular support. We report pre-clinical functional and long-term safety data acquired with a novel device, the BEAT system, which can be implanted rapidly and safely around the beating heart and provides rate-adaptive biventricular support without blood contact. <h3>Methods</h3> Haemodynamic data in a porcine model (weight range: 50-80kg) was obtained acutely (n=5) and at post-operative day 20, 30 and 60 (n=9). During acute studies in ß- blocked animals, LV and RV stroke volume (SV), stroke work (SW), cardiac output (CO) were determined at three levels of support from intracardiac pressure and aorta and pulmonary artery flow measurements. Haemodynamic improvements were achieved using subsystemic support pressures, i.e. <= 60 mmHg. For the long-term study, the BEAT was implanted subxiphoidally with the driveline exiting behind the right scapula. Continuous epicardial ECG and parameters of animal well-being were recorded. <h3>Results</h3> Three levels of biventricular support in acute experiments resulted in progressive improvements in cardiac hemodynamics (table). Long-term study animals showed excellent recovery, no adverse events, normal drinking and eating behavior and normal physical activity. No device-specific medications were needed. Acquired epicardial ECG signal quality remained stable throughout the long-term observation period. <h3>Conclusion</h3> In preparation for clinical application, the present data provide evidence that the BEAT system is suitable for long-term use and improves biventricular cardiac hemodynamics without blood contact.