Because inserting the device requires major surgery, a doctor only recommends an LVAD to people with heart failure in the following circumstances :. Implanting an LVAD is open-heart surgery. The person receives a general anesthetic and medication to prevent blood clots.
During the procedure, the surgeon inserts the pump in the upper part of the stomach wall. The pump has a tube that connects to the heart. The medical team typically uses medications to stop the heart during the surgery.
In this case, they employ a heart-lung bypass machine to keep oxygenated blood flowing throughout the body. The entire LVAD implantation procedure takes 4—8 hours , after which doctors awaken the patient and recovery begins. Learn more about open heart surgery here. People initially recover in an intensive care unit for around 3—5 days. They, they are moved to a more general ward of the hospital for around 2—3 weeks.
A person may also need to attend a cardiac rehabilitation program, which aims to strengthen the heart through exercise and health education. Doctors check carefully for signs of infection during the recovery period.
They can prevent infection by:. If, after leaving the hospital, a person notices that their LVAD is malfunctioning, they should receive medical care immediately to prevent complications. An LVAD can significantly improve the outlook of someone with heart failure by reducing the associated risks. After recovering from the surgery, a person may need to take blood thinners and aspirin in the long term. However, they can return daily activities, such as :. A person can shower with a shower bag over the device, but they cannot go swimming.
This is to prevent the device from getting wet. Researchers are exploring different ways of implanting the device to further minimize disruption to daily life after the procedure. An LVAD can improve how efficiently the heart pumps and how well other organs, such as the kidneys, function.
In addition, it can improve survival rates among people with heart failure, who may also:. Like any major surgery, an LVAD implantation carries risks.
Some potential complications include :. Some patients stay in an intermediate care facility or rehabilitation center until they are fully ready to return home. Your physician may prescribe a combination of different medications to support your overall health and heart function, and to prevent complications related to the LVAD. Every patient has different medication needs, based on current health status and medical history.
In general, all LVAD patients take blood thinners warfarin and aspirin to help prevent blood clots from forming inside the pump. You also can expect to be on many of the same medications you were taking for heart failure, including beta blockers, ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers ARBs , and diuretics water pills.
Recovering and returning to routine daily activities after receiving an LVAD is a gradual process. After receiving an LVAD, you will be able to perform most activities.
You can shower, bicycle, hike, and even return to work, in some cases. You also can travel, with minor accommodations. You must keep your equipment with you at all times not checked in cargo , and your route and destination should include areas with an LVAD program, just in case of an emergency. LVAD patients cannot swim or take a bath, play contact sports, lift heavy weights, or be away from an electrical power source.
If you are feeling especially worried or stressed, reach out to your treatment team, family, and friends. You also may want to consider joining an LVAD support group or talking with a professional counselor. Reviewed by: Amy E. Adult Heart Disease Diseases of the arteries, valves, and aorta, as well as cardiac rhythm disturbances. Heart abnormalities that are present at birth in children, as well as in adults. Diseases of the lung, esophagus, and chest wall. Common surgical procedures of the heart, lungs, and esophagus.
How to prepare for and recover from your surgery. What is an LVAD? We welcome them to present their patients at our open-selection committee meeting, which is held on Thursday afternoons. This is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate and offer patients the latest in advanced heart-failure care. We also provide training to assist in the transition back to the care of primary cardiologists. We will always be available to help manage ongoing LVAD issues, but we value and protect the relationships that are developed between patients and their primary cardiologists.
The degree of post LVAD-implant involvement of referring cardiologists will be at their discretion. Our goal is to develop new treatment approaches through a large, active research program. Our patients benefit from this research, often gaining access to therapies long before they are available elsewhere.
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