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Ventricular assist device - Recovery

Alternative Names

VAD; RVAD; LVAD; BVAD; Right ventricular assist device; Left ventricular assist device; Biventricular assist device; Heart pump

Expectations after surgery:

It takes several hours to place an IVAD into the body. After surgery, your blood pressure, heart rate, and the device will be regularly checked to make sure you are doing well. You will be connected to a breathing machine until you are able to breathe by yourself.

Convalescence:

A VAD may help a person with heart failure live longer, and help improve their quality of life.
  • Reviewed last on: 5/12/2008
  • Larry A. Weinrauch, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Private practice specializing in Cardiovascular Disease, Watertown, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Naka Y and Rose EA. Assisted circulation in the Treatment of Heart Failure. In: Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, Braunwald E, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine, 8th ed. St. Louis, Mo; WB Saunders; 2007: chap. 28.

Marx J. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002:1099-1110.

Hirsch DJ. Cardiac failure and left ventricular assist devices. Anesthesiol Clin. Sep 2003: 21(3): 625-38.

Yager JE. Left ventricular assist devices as destination therapy for end-stage heart failure. Am Heart J. Aug 2004; 148(2): 252-3.