Ventricular assist device (VAD)
Find a heart specialistAdvanced heart failure can cause you to lose energy, give up activities and, in some cases, lose hope.
At Aurora Health Care, we’ve returned hope to hundreds of people with a ventricular assist device (VAD). The device takes over the heart’s work of pumping blood to your body and gets you back to doing the things you love.
What is a VAD?
A VAD is a mechanical device that helps treat advanced heart failure, a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs.
It can be used short-term while you’re waiting for a heart transplant or long-term if you’re not eligible or prefer not to receive a transplant. It also can be used temporarily to support your heart as it heals after a heart attack.
A VAD has several parts, including:
- Pump: This mechanical piece, attached to the heart, does most of the work of the VAD.
- Driveline: This tube connects the pump to a power source outside your body. It travels through the abdomen and comes out through the skin on the right side of your body. Your VAD team will teach you how to care for the spot where the driveline comes out.
- Controller:This mini-computer stays outside the body and attaches to the VAD via the driveline. It controls the pump’s actions and tells you if the VAD has any problems.
- Power source: Some VADs are powered by a battery pack that lets you move around. At night, you’ll plug the VAD into a power source. Your VAD team will explain how to make sure your VAD always has enough power.
Types of VADs
Depending on the type of heart condition you have, we offer several types of VADs, including:
- LVAD: A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) pulls blood from the left ventricle (lower heart chamber) and pumps it to the aorta, the main artery of the body that carries oxygen-rich blood to the body. An LVAD is the most common type of VAD.
- RVAD: A right ventricular assist device (RVAD) takes blood from the right ventricle and pumps it to the pulmonary artery, the blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the lungs to pick up oxygen.
- BiVAD: This device supports both ventricles of the heart, connecting each to its respective artery.
Sometimes, open heart surgery is necessary to place a VAD. We’re also experts in innovative techniques to perform VAD implantations with minimally invasive approaches. When these approaches are possible, you’ll have a smaller incision and simpler recovery.
Prior to surgery, you’ll have several appointments to make sure you’re ready physically, mentally and emotionally. Your doctor may order cardiac and lab tests.
You’ll meet with counselors to understand what’s involved with having a VAD and see how the device works. We’ll also help you prepare financially by discussing the financial costs of getting and living with a VAD.
In addition, you’ll see your physician or surgeon for personalized guidelines to prepare for surgery including:
- Refraining from eating or drinking anything after midnight the night before your procedure
- How to get ready for your procedure including any medications you may need to stop taking
- Answering your questions and concerns
This heart surgery takes about four to six hours. You’ll receive general anesthesia, so you’ll be asleep before the procedure starts.
Your surgeon will make a small incision in the center of your chest to place the VAD. You’ll be connected to a heart-lung bypass machine, which allows your surgeon to stop your heart from beating and keeps your blood circulating while the heart is stopped.
Once the device is inside, they’ll connect the VAD to your heart and activate it before you wake up.
After surgery, you’ll recover in the cardiovascular intensive care unit until you’re transferred to a regular room. We’ll continue monitoring your heart rate, rhythm and VAD readings.
During your hospital stay, you’ll receive physical, occupational and cardiac therapy. These activities build your strength and help you become comfortable with your VAD.
Before you go home, we’ll go over caring for your VAD, including the driveline site and incision and how to shower with the device. You’ll also learn how to operate and troubleshoot the device.
A week after you’re home, you’ll come to the Center for Advanced Heart Failure Therapies for a follow-up appointment.
As part of your recovery, we’ll recommend continuing cardiac rehabilitation. This medically supervised program offers extra support, education and coaching to help get you on the right track after surgery.
Placing your trust in our team
People from around eastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois choose our hospitals and clinics for our track record of safety and excellence. You can feel confident with our:
- National ranking: U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks our heart program among the best in the country. We’re dedicated to improving and transforming heart care.
- Top team:In addition to VAD implantation, we perform an average of 25 to 30 heart transplants every year. Having this experience means our surgeons know what works best if you need a heart transplant.
- Innovative research: We’re leaders in clinical trials and cardiovascular research to study new surgical approaches. We also study new devices to treat heart failure, arrhythmia and other types of heart disease.
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