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Mechanical Circulatory Assistance |
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A mechanical circulatory assistance device is a pump that helps patients with severely weakened hearts pump blood throughout the body. Some other names for these devices are:
- LVAD (left ventricular assist device)
- VAD (ventricular assist device)
- VAS (ventricular assist system)
Most of these devices are attached to the left ventricle of the patient's heart and help the heart do its work.
Traditionally, the LVAD temporarily assists a patient waiting for a heart transplant. This use of the LVAD is called "bridge-to-transplant" therapy.
In addition, UT Southwestern Medical Center has been part of an exclusive group of hospital systems nationwide approved to use the LVAD to help patients in a more permanent way. Patients who are not eligible for heart transplants may be given an LVAD as an alternative to a heart transplant. Such use of the LVAD is called "destination therapy."
Our surgical team has the most experience in North Texas with the LVAD. In fact, UT Southwestern was part of an exclusive group of 20 of the nation's leading medical centers chosen to take part in the REMATCH trial (Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance for the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure). This landmark trial was sponsored in part by the National Institutes of Health.
The LVAD still has its risks, however. For people with heart failure who are living at home but are not very functional, the LVAD can greatly improve their quality of life. Patients can go back to doing the things they did before, such as driving a car, traveling by air and going about their daily activities.
