The life changing lvad

A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a heart pump that a surgeon implants to help treat heart failure. When the heart’s left ventricle is unable to pump blood efficiently, this device helps restore healthy blood flow and prevent complications.

Most people who are eligible for LVAD implantation have had:

• a heart attack
• cardiomyopathy
• severe heart failure

All of these can significantly damage the heart, and an LVAD can help by directing oxygenated blood from the left ventricle of the heart to the aorta. The aorta then distributes this blood throughout the body.

Having an LVAD inserted is major surgery, however, and there are some risks. Read on to learn about these devices, the insertion procedure, recovery times, and more.

An LVAD is a device that helps the left side of the heart to pump blood. In a person with heart failure, a surgeon attaches an LVAD to the heart to help promote blood flow.

A person awaiting a heart transplant may greatly benefitTrusted Source from having an LVAD in the meantime. For other people, receiving an LVAD is a “destination” treatment that improves the function of the heart and other vital organs. Because inserting the device requires major surgery, a doctor only recommends an LVAD to people with heart failure in the following circumstances:

• Before a transplant: An LVAD may benefit someone who is awaiting a heart transplant, and in this case, it is known as a “bridge to a transplant.”
• To treat severe heart failure: If a transplant is unavailable or the person does not meet the requirements, the LVAD may be the best approach to treatment, and in this case, the doctor might call it a “destination therapyTrusted Source.”
• If heart failure is temporary: A person may benefit from having an LVAD only until their heart is strong enough to resume its regular function, and in this case, the device is called a “bridge to recovery.”