Ventricular Assist Device (VAD)
Temporary or long-term assistance for a failing heart
If you or a loved one has advanced heart failure, a ventricular assist device (VAD) may be implanted to assist with blood flow and heart function.
The device is sometimes known as a mechanical circulatory support device. It can be used as a temporary or long-term option to support a failing heart. The device pumps blood from a lower chamber of the heart and helps pump it to the rest of the body.
Our expert team at IU Health in Indianapolis has been treating the most complex patients in Indiana for more than 25 years and are leaders in national and international training for these devices. We will assess, treat and manage all your heart health needs if you are a candidate for a VAD.
Overview
If you or a loved one has advanced heart failure, a ventricular assist device (VAD) may be implanted to assist with blood flow and heart function.
The device is sometimes known as a mechanical circulatory support device. It can be used as a temporary or long-term option to support a failing heart. The device pumps blood from a lower chamber of the heart and helps pump it to the rest of the body.
Our expert team at IU Health in Indianapolis has been treating the most complex patients in Indiana for more than 25 years and are leaders in national and international training for these devices. We will assess, treat and manage all your heart health needs if you are a candidate for a VAD.
Who Needs a Ventricular Assist Device?
If you have severe heart failure, you may need a ventricular assist device. The causes of heart failure include:
- Ischemic cardiomyopathy: A noticeable decline of how the muscular tissue (myocardium) in your heart functions
- Viral/infection cardiomyopathy: A virus that causes the heart muscle to become inflamed and lower its ability to pump
- Familiar cardiomyopathy: A genetic disorder that increases the thickness of the heart’ left ventricle (chamber) wall
- Postpartum cardiomyopathy: An rare form of heart failure that occurs at the end of pregnancy
- Idiopathic cardiomyopathy: An unknown cause with signs of heart failure
Reasons for Implant
A VAD may be used for a few reasons that depend on your heart health needs:
Temporary Support
- Use after surgery: You may receive a temporary device to allow your heart to rest and recover. Once your heart recovers, the VAD would be removed.
- As a bridge to heart transplant: You may have a VAD implanted to improve your heart function while you wait for a heart to become available for transplant. About 75 percent of heart transplant patients receive a VAD while waiting for their transplant
Two temporary support options include the Impella and Centrimag devices. The Impella device is guided up to your heart through an artery and moves blood through the heart to the rest of your body. The Centrimag is an external blood pump used at your bedside that is connected to your heart through a thin tube near your breast bone (sternum).
Long-term Support
If you are not eligible for transplant due to age or other medical conditions, a VAD may be implanted to improve your quality of life.
Device Options
IU Health offers many devices based on the type of implant you need. Your surgeon will discuss with you what VAD is best for you.
- Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) will help the left side of your heart pump blood to your body
- Right ventricular assist device (RVAD) will help the right side of your heart pump blood to your lungs
- Biventricular assist device (BiVAD) will assist the left and right side of your heart pump blood to the body and lungs
- Total artificial heart (TAH) device replaces your own ventricles and valves and pumps blood to the rest of your body.
Each device has a pump that is connected to your heart. There are four parts—a heart pump, a tube that passes through the skin of your chest or abdomen, a controller (small computer) that controls and monitors pump operation and a power source.
Surgery
You will have open-heart surgery with general anesthesia to have the device implanted. The operation can last 4 to 6 hours or longer for a total artificial heart. During the surgery, you will be placed on a heart-lung bypass machine that takes over the job of the heart and lungs while your heart is being operated on.
The VAD device will be placed below your heart. Once the surgeon connects the pump to the heart, the device will be turned on. When the device begins running, you will be taken off the heart-lung machine.
What to Expect for Ventricular Assist Devices
Who Needs a Ventricular Assist Device?
If you have severe heart failure, you may need a ventricular assist device. The causes of heart failure include:
- Ischemic cardiomyopathy: A noticeable decline of how the muscular tissue (myocardium) in your heart functions
- Viral/infection cardiomyopathy: A virus that causes the heart muscle to become inflamed and lower its ability to pump
- Familiar cardiomyopathy: A genetic disorder that increases the thickness of the heart’ left ventricle (chamber) wall
- Postpartum cardiomyopathy: An rare form of heart failure that occurs at the end of pregnancy
- Idiopathic cardiomyopathy: An unknown cause with signs of heart failure
Reasons for Implant
A VAD may be used for a few reasons that depend on your heart health needs:
Temporary Support
- Use after surgery: You may receive a temporary device to allow your heart to rest and recover. Once your heart recovers, the VAD would be removed.
- As a bridge to heart transplant: You may have a VAD implanted to improve your heart function while you wait for a heart to become available for transplant. About 75 percent of heart transplant patients receive a VAD while waiting for their transplant
Two temporary support options include the Impella and Centrimag devices. The Impella device is guided up to your heart through an artery and moves blood through the heart to the rest of your body. The Centrimag is an external blood pump used at your bedside that is connected to your heart through a thin tube near your breast bone (sternum).
Long-term Support
If you are not eligible for transplant due to age or other medical conditions, a VAD may be implanted to improve your quality of life.
Device Options
IU Health offers many devices based on the type of implant you need. Your surgeon will discuss with you what VAD is best for you.
- Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) will help the left side of your heart pump blood to your body
- Right ventricular assist device (RVAD) will help the right side of your heart pump blood to your lungs
- Biventricular assist device (BiVAD) will assist the left and right side of your heart pump blood to the body and lungs
- Total artificial heart (TAH) device replaces your own ventricles and valves and pumps blood to the rest of your body.
Each device has a pump that is connected to your heart. There are four parts—a heart pump, a tube that passes through the skin of your chest or abdomen, a controller (small computer) that controls and monitors pump operation and a power source.
Surgery
You will have open-heart surgery with general anesthesia to have the device implanted. The operation can last 4 to 6 hours or longer for a total artificial heart. During the surgery, you will be placed on a heart-lung bypass machine that takes over the job of the heart and lungs while your heart is being operated on.
The VAD device will be placed below your heart. Once the surgeon connects the pump to the heart, the device will be turned on. When the device begins running, you will be taken off the heart-lung machine.
We will do a full physical and psychological evaluation to ensure that a VAD is the best option for you.
Our team is made up of many specialties to ensure you receive the specific care you need. Your team will include:
- Cardiothoracic surgeons
- Cardiologist
- Device/transplant coordinator
- Pharmacist
- Palliative care
- Nurses
- Social workers
- Psychologists
- Dietitians
Preparing for VAD Surgery
We will do a full physical and psychological evaluation to ensure that a VAD is the best option for you.
Our team is made up of many specialties to ensure you receive the specific care you need. Your team will include:
- Cardiothoracic surgeons
- Cardiologist
- Device/transplant coordinator
- Pharmacist
- Palliative care
- Nurses
- Social workers
- Psychologists
- Dietitians
After the operation is complete, you will be moved to a critical care unit for about a week and your full hospital stay will be about three weeks. If you are able to go home, we will provide instructions for your care at home.
You will have follow-up visits and see your surgeon a month after you leave the hospital. We will work with your local cardiologist to coordinate your care so that your cardiologist will be your primary provider. We provide a nurse on-call 24 hours a day for help.
After Your Surgery
After the operation is complete, you will be moved to a critical care unit for about a week and your full hospital stay will be about three weeks. If you are able to go home, we will provide instructions for your care at home.
You will have follow-up visits and see your surgeon a month after you leave the hospital. We will work with your local cardiologist to coordinate your care so that your cardiologist will be your primary provider. We provide a nurse on-call 24 hours a day for help.
You may have several questions about a ventricular assist device. Some of the questions you might ask include:
- What devices are available? Which one are you using for me?
- What are the risks for this surgery?
- What can I expect after surgery?
- What do I need to do at home with a VAD?
- What sort of training do I need for this device?
- What kind of restrictions will I have?
- How long will the pump last?
Be sure to write down these or other questions you may have. We strongly recommend you bring along a partner or a good friend who can help you by listening and also taking notes. Be sure to ask about anything you do not understand.
Questions to Ask Your Provider
You may have several questions about a ventricular assist device. Some of the questions you might ask include:
- What devices are available? Which one are you using for me?
- What are the risks for this surgery?
- What can I expect after surgery?
- What do I need to do at home with a VAD?
- What sort of training do I need for this device?
- What kind of restrictions will I have?
- How long will the pump last?
Be sure to write down these or other questions you may have. We strongly recommend you bring along a partner or a good friend who can help you by listening and also taking notes. Be sure to ask about anything you do not understand.
