The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a mechanical pump that is implanted inside a person's chest. It helps people with a weakened heart to pump the blood from the heart to the rest of the body. It can people after heart surgery whose heart needs to rest.
During surgery, LVAD is implanted below patient’s heart. One end of the pump is attached to the pump and blood flows through it to the pump. When sensors indicate that the pump is full, the blood is ejected to the aorta where the other end of the pump is.
Also, the pump is connected through a tube to the external device and power source outside the body and a patient wear is on a belt or harness.
The benefit of an LVAD is that helps a patient to relieve some symptoms of the weak heart like being short of breath or constantly tired. Also, it improves functions of other organs and enables a patient to participate in cardiac rehabilitation after heart surgery.
The risks of an LVAD can include:
- Infection
- Heart or device failure
- Stroke
- Blood clots
- Internal bleeding
- Kidney or respiratory failure
