Treatments

Mechanical Assistance Devices (Such As LVAD)

Mechanical assistance devices provide support to the heart by helping the lower chambers of the heart pump blood into the rest of the body. A mechanical assistance device can help support the heart during or after surgery, while you’re waiting for a heart transplant, or if you learn that you’re ineligible for a heart transplant. These devices can be located outside the body (transcutaneous ventricular assist device) or inside the body (implantable ventricular assist device). An implantable device requires open chest surgery, a procedure in which your surgeon will make a cut in the center of your chest and open your rib cage to attach the device to your heart. Recovery times vary from person to person, but most people spend a few days recovering in intensive care and a week or more in the hospital after the surgery.