Left Ventricular Assist Device Resources

A LVAD is a mechanical device that helps your heart pump blood. The LVAD is attached to your heart during surgery. 

LVADs help a weakened heart by pumping blood from the left ventricle (lower part of the heart) and pushing it out of the aorta. The aorta is a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The pump is implanted inside the heart and connected to a protected electrical wire. The wire runs outside of the body, connecting to a power source.

LVADs have been used for more than two decades. 

LVADs are used as a bridge to transplant (BTT). They give patients time until a transplant is available. They are also a long-term or destination therapy (DT) for patients who are not transplant candidates. LVADs improve survival and quality of life for advanced heart failure patients. 

Yes. After the LVAD is in place, it must always have a power source (batteries or plugged in). If you go for even a short time without power, you could die. 

If there is a power outage, use the extra batteries for your LVAD to keep it powered. If you need to recharge the batteries, you can go to the nearest hospital or fire station. Your LVAD must have power at all times to avoid the risk of death. 

LVADs are for people with heart failure who meet certain criteria. These are often people with advanced heart failure who are considered Class III or IV by the New York Heart Association (see below). LVADs may not be appropriate for some people with advanced heart failure if they have other conditions, such as: 

• Kidney failure 

• Liver disease 

• Lung disease 

• Blood clotting disorders 

New York Heart Association classification (Classes III & IV) 

• Class III: Patients with cardiac disease and significant limitation of physical activity. They are comfortable only at rest. 

• Class IV: Patients with cardiac disease who are not able to do physical activity without further discomfort. Symptoms of heart failure or angina may be present even at rest.

You will be responsible for the care of your: 

• LVAD 

• Equipment 

• Continuous power supply 

• Routine driveline dressing changes 

You and your caregiver will do hands-on LVAD training before you leave the hospital. 

A LVAD is not a cure for heart failure. It can help you live longer, improve your quality of life, and reduce symptoms of heart failure. Your risk of a hospital stay depends on how well you do with the LVAD and if you need treatment in the hospital from problems like bleeding, infection, and stroke. These are some of the risks that come with having a LVAD. 

Most patients with a LVAD need to keep taking medicine to help their heart. A LVAD does not fix the heart or cure heart failure. The medicines help your heart work the best it can. 

Patients with advanced heart failure who have a LVAD tend to live longer than those who are treated with medical therapy alone. The expected survival for people with a LVAD keeps getting better with newer technology. 

If you have a problem with your LVAD, your doctor will talk to you about ways to fix the issue. You may need surgery to replace your LVAD. 

This is an emergency. You will learn how to handle it before leaving the hospital after your LVAD surgery. If the LVAD stops, you will likely have heart failure symptoms. Symptoms can start quickly. Your heart will keep beating. The LVAD does not replace your heart, it helps it work better. 

Yes, LVADs are portable and can work on batteries. Patients can be discharged from the hospital and live at home. 

You will need major surgery and stay in the hospital for about two weeks for the LVAD to be implanted. Some risks are: 

• 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 a LVAD are located outside the body. They 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 a LVAD may stop working correctly after it is implanted. 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 a 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 you will need a temporary pump. Medicines or other therapies may help the lower right chamber pump better in the long term. 

You will need to make some lifestyle changes after you have a LVAD. These changes will help you get the most benefit from treatment. Your care team will talk to you about the changes before you go home. After making these changes most patients have better circulation after LVAD implantation. This lets the patient go back to their daily lives with very few restrictions on activity.  

You will need to take: 

• Blood thinners 

• Post-surgery pain medicine 

• Your current heart failure medicine 

You should be able to go back to your normal activities. Some patients go back to work and activities they enjoy. You will be encouraged to make healthy lifestyle choices and watch your health closely. You will have to take your weight, temperature, and other vitals each day to make sure you are not having any problems. 

You can only shower with the direction of your doctor. You will be allowed to shower after the surgical site has healed. The external LVAD system parts are not waterproof. They need to be protected with a specially designed shower kit. 

No, you will not be able to take a bath or swim. Water can damage the external components and your pump could stop working. 

Yes. You can safely have sex after you recover from LVAD surgery. 

Physical exercise is needed to help prevent the unhealthy effects of bed rest and inactivity. You can walk and do light strength training. A physical therapist will be part of your care. They will help develop exercise guidelines and goals with you. Most of the time, activity limits include contact sports and swimming. 

We discourage pregnancy for patients with LVADs. The exact risks are unknown. The therapy, including medicines, would be dangerous or even deadly to a developing baby. All women of child-bearing age who have a LVAD must use two forms of birth control unless they decide not to have sex. If you are a woman who can get pregnant, talk to your gynecologist about your birth control options. 

You may travel if you are healthy and have no ongoing issues. Your LVAD team can help you plan your trip. They will contact other VAD care centers near the place you plan to visit. Be sure to contact your LVAD coordinator before any travel. 

If you are feeling anxious or frustrated about living with a LVAD, talk to your health care provider or a counselor. Connecting with others in a support group may help lower stress and anxiety. A support group lets you share your thoughts and feelings with others who have similar experiences.