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  • Heart and Vascular Services
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Left ventricular assist device (LVAD)

If you have advanced heart failure that’s getting worse, a ventricular assist device, or mechanical heart pump, may be able to help. The most frequently used is the left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
Request an Appointment
  • For LVAD related requests: 1-319-384-7470
  • For Heart and Vascular related requests: 1-319-356-7102
  • For all other requests: 1-800-777-8442
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While you’re waiting for a heart transplant, an LVAD can support your heart temporarily. If you’re not a candidate for a transplant, an LVAD can be a long-term solution to improve your quality of life and help you live longer.

The University of Iowa Heart and Vascular Center’s LVAD program is the largest and most comprehensive in the state. Our team of specialists includes experts in LVAD and other artificial heart pumps. No matter what’s causing your heart failure, our team works with you to find a solution.

Our outcomes beat the national average. Through September 2019, more than 89% of LVAD recipients were still living with their devices or had undergone a heart transplant one year later. Nationally, the percentage is below 82%.

Our approach to LVAD

The UI Heart and Vascular Center team uses the HeartMate 3 LVAD, one of the most advanced devices available. During its clinical trials, the HeartMate 3 had an extremely high two-year survival rate and a very low rate of complications.

Making sure LVAD is right for you

Our team will evaluate you thoroughly to make sure you’re healthy enough for LVAD implantation surgery.

The team includes cardiologists, heart surgeons, social workers, physical therapists, and other specialists.

You’ll have several tests, which might include:

  • Echocardiogram
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
  • Exercise stress echocardiogram
  • Cardiac catheterization

You will also need to have a number of other health exams, such as a colonoscopy, mammogram, and dental exam.

Once all of your tests and exams are complete, the team meets to determine whether an LVAD is the best option for you.

A team of experts, focused on you

LVAD surgery is a major procedure that has a big impact on your life. The UI Health Care team has decades of experience implanting LVADs and helping people adjust to living with them.

Your care team will include:

  • Heart surgeons (cardiothoracic surgeons)
  • Cardiologists
  • Dietitians
  • Social workers
  • Nurses

One point of contact, plus 24/7 support

Our LVAD coordinator will be your contact person for scheduling appointments, coordinating visits, and answering questions. They’ll walk you through every step of the process from pre-surgery to recovery at home. You can call anytime, day or night, to speak to your coordinator or another team member if you have questions or concerns.

Who can benefit from an LVAD?

An LVAD can be used as a temporary treatment or as a permanent solution.

  • Bridge to recovery: If your heart failure has the potential to be reversed, a LVAD can be a temporary help. It gives your heart a chance to heal, and it can be removed once your heart is strong enough to pump blood by itself.
  • Bridge to transplant: If you’re waiting for a heart transplant, an LVAD can take over for your heart while you wait.
  • Destination therapy: If you’re not a candidate for a heart transplant because of your age or other medical conditions, your LVAD is permanently implanted. You can live for many years with a destination therapy LVAD.

Support before and after LVAD

If you’re considering getting an LVAD, we’ll connect you with someone who has had the surgery. You’ll be able to talk with them privately about the procedure, recovery, and what it’s like to live with a LVAD.

You’re also invited to attend the UI Health Care LVAD support group. The group meets quarterly and welcomes people who are considering getting an LVAD as well as those who already have a device.

For information about upcoming meetings, email [email protected] or call 1-319-384-9308.

Sidebar content
  • Heart and Vascular Services
    • Cardiac Imaging
      • Coronary Calcium Scan (Calcium Score test)
    • Cardiac Rehabilitation
    • Cardiology
      • Angina
      • Aortic Aneurysm
      • Atherosclerosis
      • Coronary artery disease
      • Echocardiogram
      • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
      • Pulmonary Hypertension
    • Cardio-Oncology
    • Cardiovascular Genetics
    • Cardiac Electrophysiology
      • Atrial Fibrillation
      • Atrial Flutter
      • Cardiac Ablation
      • Cardioneuroablation
      • Convergent Procedure
      • Heart Palpitations
      • Lead Extraction
      • Pacemaker
      • Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
      • Remedē® System
    • Heart Failure
      • Cardiac Amyloidosis
      • CardioMEMS™ Heart Failure System
      • Sarcoidosis
    • Heart Surgery
      • Aortic Valve Surgery
      • Heart Transplant
      • ECMO: Heart and Lung Life Support
        • A Family Guide to ECMO
        • Criteria for ECMO
        • ECMO Training Course
        • Immediately Contact the ECMO Team
        • The Iowa Difference for ECLS Care
        • Welcome from the ECMO Director
      • Left ventricular assist device (LVAD)
    • Interventional Cardiology
      • Atherectomy
      • Complex and High Risk Interventional Procedures (CHIP)
      • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (Angioplasty)
      • Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device (Impella)
    • Structural heart and heart valve disease
      • Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
      • Left Atrial Appendage Closure (Watchman Device)
      • Paravalvular Leak (PVL) Closure
      • Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)
      • Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
      • Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair (MitraClip)
      • Tricuspid Valve Repair and Replacement
    • Vascular Surgery
      • Deep vein thrombosis
      • Peripheral Artery Disease
      • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)
      • Varicose Veins and Spider Veins

Our Care Team

Mohammad Bashir, MBBS portrait

Mohammad
Bashir
MBBS

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
4.80 out of 5 (904 ratings)
Anthony L. Panos, MD portrait

Anthony L.
Panos
MD

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
4.77 out of 5 (351 ratings)
Arun K. Singhal, MD, PhD portrait

Arun K.
Singhal
MD, PhD

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
4.67 out of 5 (644 ratings)
Ernesto Ruiz Duque, MD portrait

Ernesto
Ruiz Duque
MD

  • Heart and Vascular
4.72 out of 5 (423 ratings)
Ily Kristine T. Yumul-Non, MD portrait

Ily Kristine T.
Yumul-Non
MD

  • Heart and Vascular
4.78 out of 5 (144 ratings)
Margery Amelon, ARNP portrait

Margery
Amelon
ARNP

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
Melissa Collier, ARNP portrait

Melissa
Collier
ARNP

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
Randi J. Key, ARNP portrait

Randi J.
Key
ARNP

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
Becky Schafer, ARNP, MSN, BSN, ADN portrait

Becky
Schafer
ARNP, MSN, BSN, ADN

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
Jessica Stevens, ARNP portrait

Jessica
Stevens
ARNP

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
Laura Czerniak, PharmD, BCCP portrait

Laura
Czerniak
PharmD, BCCP

  • Pharmacy
Maggie DeJaynes, PA-C portrait

Maggie
DeJaynes
PA-C

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
Emily Mathews, LISW portrait

Emily
Mathews
LISW

  • Heart and Vascular
  • Transplant
Stephanie Rauckhorst, LISW portrait

Stephanie
Rauckhorst
LISW

  • Heart and Vascular
  • Transplant
  • Denicia Cole
  • Carol Johnson

Need an LVAD expert?

We'll connect you with an expert to discuss your options.
Request an appointment Refer a patient

Locations and Offices

Heart and Vascular Center
4800 John Pappajohn Pavilion (JPP)
Level 4, Elevator I
1-319-356-7102
Clinic
UI Heart and Vascular Center Interior location image at UI Hospitals & Clinics
In Medical Center University
200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242

Related News


Heart and Vascular Center earns Gold Seal for VAD therapy
October 10, 2018
University of Iowa Heart and Vascular Center has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for its ventricular assist device destination th...

Educational Resources

Left Ventricular Assist Device Resources

Support Groups

Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Support Group

The LVAD Support Group is open to anyone considering an LVAD or who has a LVAD implant (mechanical heart device). The group meetings last for about an hour and a half and feature a light snack. Topics vary.

Join us for social hour!

Awards and Recognition

Joint Commission Gold Seal Graphic
Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval
Our LVAD program has earned the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval. This means that we meet rigorous performance standards and deliver high-quality, safe care.
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