A ventricular assist device for a heart includes a compression band-stay-pad assembly (32) for encircling substantially the entire heart (32) perimeter and comprising an elongated band member or chain (38) disposed in a sealed protective structure (106). The band member (38) may be fixed at one end and wound upon, or unwound from, a rotatable spool in housing (44). Force-transmitting support or stay assemblies (108) are disposed in the protective structure (106) between the band member (38) and a resilient pad assembly (126) for encircling the heart (22). The force-transmitting stay assemblies (108) are biased circumferentially, and thus radially outward, by compression return springs (114) disposed therebetween. A net structure (138) suspended below the device supports the apical portion of the heart.
