A left ventricular assist device or LVAD (pronounced
"L-vad" and also called left ventricular assist system or LVAS) is
a mechanical pump that is surgically implanted to help a weakened
heart pump blood throughout the body. More specifically, the LVAD
helps the left ventricle (the major pumping chamber of the heart)
pump blood throughout the body.
How the LVAD works
Blood flows from the left
ventricle into the internal pump. The pump fills with blood. When
the sensors indicate it is full, the blood is ejected out of the
device through a one-way valve to the aorta (largest artery in the
body).
How the LVAD is used
The LVAD can
be used as a "bridge-to-transplant," which means it can help a
patient survive until a donor heart becomes available for
transplant. This option may be appropriate for people whose medical
therapy has failed and who have an increased risk of death, as well
as those who are hospitalized with end-stage systolic heart
failure. As a bridge-to-transplant, the LVAD allows the patient to
be discharged to an outpatient setting while waiting for
transplant.
Using an LVAD as a bridge-to-heart transplant has improved
pre-heart transplantation survival rates and quality of life.
However, there is still a national shortage of available donor
hearts for patients who are in need. Thus, use of a LVAD as a
bridge-to-heart transplant is still performed on an infrequent
basis and only when absolutely needed.
The LVAD can be used as "destination therapy," which is an
alternative to heart transplant. Destination therapy provides
long-term support in patients who are not candidates for
transplant. The goal of destination therapy is to improve the
patient's quality of life.
When used as a bridge-to-transplant or as destination therapy,
the goals of LVAD therapy are to provide blood pressure support,
maintain or improve other organ function, improve strength and
activity performance and enable participation in cardiac
rehabilitation.