How Does a VAD Work?
Heart failure is a serious disease that not only can affect your lifestyle and how you live, but it’s also fatal when not taken care of. Heart failure is in essence, when the heart cannot pump enough blood as well as oxygen to the other organs in your body. It’s a serious condition that can lead to death if not taken care of. Fortunately for you, in this day and age, and with the technology and advances we have, there are ways to fix the prognosis. Heart failure is a very common thing in the United States. In fact, according to the CDC website, about 5.1 people in the US have heart failure. That’s quite a lot considering the US has around 316.1 million (2013 stats). Also, one in 9 deaths in 2009 had heart failure as the contributing cause of the death. Heart failure is such a serious threat that it is known to kill people within 5 years of having it - especially if they do not do anything about it! All in all, heart failure costs about $32 billion dollars every single year, this includes health care costs and services, medications for the heart failure to treat it as well as missed days of work. It’s an ugly disease, but if you want to know more about it or what you can do to prevent it or what options you have, keep reading.
What Is LVAD?
LVAD or left ventricular assist device is an implant device that helps your heart pump blood and oxygen to your supporting organs. If you have heart failure and your doctor has recommended a left ventricular assist device, there are a few things you should know:
1- There are various types of left ventricular assist devices available today in the marketplace. Of course each one of these devices has its own unique features and benefits, but they really all serve the same exact function.
2- The models available today for left ventricular assist devices are much more technologically advanced, than they were, say 15 years ago. Gone are the old noisy and bulky devices. Today they are quiet, more durable which means they last longer and they are much smaller in comparison to the older models.
3- Some of the newer models are still undergoing a review process for medical devices regulations. However, if you would want a newer model, you could travel to Europe where most all of these newer devices have already been approved and have a medical device regulations. If the model you are interested in has not been approved in Europe yet, it should be noted that process approval times take less time in Europe than the US.
4- Every single day this technology advances itself even further and is constantly improving itself. This is important because not only is it improving upon itself, but it’s also improving your life and quality or quantity of life for patients of this device. In fact, today’s LVAD devices give patients an 85% survival rate. If that seems low to you, consider the fact that a patients that only rely on medication and therapy only have a 25-50% survival rate.
Just to note: LVAD devices are not given 100% survival rates because this is a technology that is primarily newer in this specific fashion. 85% is pretty good though for survival rates, even though 100% or long-term rates are not available... yet. But, who knows, maybe in a few years someone else will create an even better LVAD device that will raise the stakes and give you a high percentage. Until then the LVAD device available now is a really good option for your needs.
More Technological Advances
As if all that information wasn’t enough, it should also be noted that unlike the older models from 15-30 years ago that actually rehabilitated you - oftentimes the devices were external and you had to be sedated or put on a ventilator and stay in bed, are really no longer in use. Instead, doctors and surgeons use these newer models because they still allow you to live life, get outside of your bedroom or hospital room, and still do the same things you did before you had heart failure.
Is This An Artificial Heart?
To put it simply, no. This is not the same as an artificial heart. An LVAD differs because it helps to work with the heart to pump blood and oxygen with less work. On the other hand an artificial heart completely replaces a failing heart. Also, an artificial heart works internally whereas an LVAD works externally and internally. The pump of the LVAD machine usually sits next to your hearts left ventricle. A tube is also attached that helps in aiding to flow the blood to your aorta. The cable is what works internally/externally, it’s called a driveline and it actually extends from the pump, through your skin and then it connects to the pump controller box which is worn outside of the body.
What Is LVAD?
LVAD or left ventricular assist device is an implant device that helps your heart pump blood and oxygen to your supporting organs. If you have heart failure and your doctor has recommended a left ventricular assist device, there are a few things you should know:
1- There are various types of left ventricular assist devices available today in the marketplace. Of course each one of these devices has its own unique features and benefits, but they really all serve the same exact function.
2- The models available today for left ventricular assist devices are much more technologically advanced, than they were, say 15 years ago. Gone are the old noisy and bulky devices. Today they are quiet, more durable which means they last longer and they are much smaller in comparison to the older models.
3- Some of the newer models are still undergoing a review process for medical devices regulations. However, if you would want a newer model, you could travel to Europe where most all of these newer devices have already been approved and have a medical device regulations. If the model you are interested in has not been approved in Europe yet, it should be noted that process approval times take less time in Europe than the US.
4- Every single day this technology advances itself even further and is constantly improving itself. This is important because not only is it improving upon itself, but it’s also improving your life and quality or quantity of life for patients of this device. In fact, today’s LVAD devices give patients an 85% survival rate. If that seems low to you, consider the fact that a patients that only rely on medication and therapy only have a 25-50% survival rate.
Just to note: LVAD devices are not given 100% survival rates because this is a technology that is primarily newer in this specific fashion. 85% is pretty good though for survival rates, even though 100% or long-term rates are not available... yet. But, who knows, maybe in a few years someone else will create an even better LVAD device that will raise the stakes and give you a high percentage. Until then the LVAD device available now is a really good option for your needs.
More Technological Advances
As if all that information wasn’t enough, it should also be noted that unlike the older models from 15-30 years ago that actually rehabilitated you - oftentimes the devices were external and you had to be sedated or put on a ventilator and stay in bed, are really no longer in use. Instead, doctors and surgeons use these newer models because they still allow you to live life, get outside of your bedroom or hospital room, and still do the same things you did before you had heart failure.
Is This An Artificial Heart?
To put it simply, no. This is not the same as an artificial heart. An LVAD differs because it helps to work with the heart to pump blood and oxygen with less work. On the other hand an artificial heart completely replaces a failing heart. Also, an artificial heart works internally whereas an LVAD works externally and internally. The pump of the LVAD machine usually sits next to your hearts left ventricle. A tube is also attached that helps in aiding to flow the blood to your aorta. The cable is what works internally/externally, it’s called a driveline and it actually extends from the pump, through your skin and then it connects to the pump controller box which is worn outside of the body.