Left ventricle assisit device (LVAD) therapy is used for patients who have had a large heart attack, severe congestive heart failure (CHF), to rescue patients to recovery after open heart surgery.  An LVAD is only used in patients with very weak hearts, but can be life-saving in these pateints.  There are several different brands/types of LVAD, and the choice depends on the long-term goals of therapy.  At St. Marks hospital, we use the Abiomed 5000 LVAD device to replace the mechanical work the heart does for short periods of recovery.  The intention of this device is to allow the heart to recover, and not as a permanent treatment for heart failure.  At LDS hospital, a peripheral LVAD may be used temporarily, or if needed a permanent LVAD can be placed as a bridge toward heart transplantation.  Some patient who don't qualify for heart transplantation may still benefit from long-term LVAD placement as a treatment of severe heart failure.

The Abiomed device is run by a small console that allows the patient to walk and recover more completely than earlier LVAD systems that required the patient to remain in bed.  The device is air driven and draws blood from the heart and pushes it into the circulation at a rate appropriate for the patient.  After the heart recovers, the LVAD is removed and the patient is weaned from other medical support over several days.