Ventricular assist device (VAD)

A ventricular assist device (VAD) is a device that helps pump blood from the lower chambers of the heart to the rest of the body. It's a treatment for a weakened heart or heart failure. A VAD may be used to help the heart work while waiting for other treatments, such as a heart transplant. Sometimes a VAD is used to permanently help the heart pump blood.

Your health care provider may recommend a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) if: You're waiting for a heart transplant. An LVAD may be temporarily used while you wait for a donor heart to become available. This type of treatment is called a bridge to transplant. An LVAD can keep blood pumping through your body despite a damaged heart. It will be removed when you receive your new heart. An LVAD also may help other organs in the body work better while you're waiting for a heart transplant. LVADs can sometimes lower pressures in the lungs. High lung pressures can prevent someone from being able to receive a heart transplant. You can't have a heart transplant because of age or other factors. Sometimes it's not possible to have a heart transplant. So an LVAD may be used as a permanent treatment. This use of a ventricular assist device is called destination therapy. If you have heart failure, it may improve your quality of life. You have temporary heart failure. If your heart failure is temporary, your heart doctor may recommend having an LVAD until your heart can pump blood on its own again. This type of treatment is called a bridge to recovery. To decide if an LVAD is the right treatment for your condition, and to select which device is best for you, your heart doctor considers: The severity of your heart failure. Other serious medical conditions you have. How well the main pumping chambers of the heart are working. Your ability to safely take blood thinners. How much social support you have from your family and friends. Your mental health and ability to take care of a VAD .

Possible risks and complications of a ventricular assist device (VAD) include: Bleeding. Any surgery can increase your risk of bleeding. Blood clots. As blood moves through the device, blood clots may form. A blood clot can slow or block blood flow. This can cause problems with the device or a stroke. Infection. The power source and controller for an LVAD are located outside the body and are connected through a wire through a small opening in your skin. Germs could infect this area. This can cause an infection at the site or in your blood. Device problems. Sometimes an LVAD may stop working correctly after it's implanted. For example, if there is damage to the wires, the device may not pump blood properly. This problem needs immediate medical attention. The pump may need to be replaced. Right heart failure. If you have an LVAD , the lower left chamber of the heart will pump more blood than it used to. The lower right chamber may be too weak to manage the increased amount of blood. Sometimes this requires a temporary pump. Medicines or other therapies may help the lower right chamber pump better in the long term.

If you're getting an LVAD , you'll need surgery to implant the device. Before surgery, your health care team will: Tell you what to expect before, during and after the surgery. Explain the possible risks of VAD surgery. Discuss any concerns you have. Ask if you have an advance directive. Give you specific instructions to follow during your recovery at home. You can prepare for LVAD surgery by talking to your family about your upcoming hospital stay. Also talk about the type of help you'll need at home as you recover.