Devices and methods for assisting cardiac function are provided. One such device for assisting heart function includes a first plate and an opposing second plate, each plate having an inner surface, a cardiac processor coupled to at least one of the first plate and the second plate, a bladder having an inner chamber and disposed between the inner surfaces, and a first catheter having a proximal end in communication with the inner chamber of the bladder and a distal end having a first pericardial balloon coupled thereto. A gas and/or a liquid within the inner chamber of the bladder can be injected into the first pericardial balloon upon compression of the first plate relative to the second plate, and the gas and/or the liquid can be removed from the first pericardial balloon upon retraction of the first plate relative to the second plate.
