Has anyone in this group looked into having a lvad installed?   I have an appointment with my cardio in May and I wanted to ask him about it. I have been reading a lot about them. Dick Cheny is using one now. Looks like one might be useful.
Thomas

 

 

I've done extensive research, my Cardiologist tried to talk me into it awhile back. Ultimately I declined with the caveat if they improved the device within certain design parameters I would again consider it. I'm sorry but I can't take the time needed to respond in detail today but I'll get back to you Wednesday.

There are some web sites referenced here in affiliates (upper left of screen) and other ads place on this page that might be helpful for you.

CABG Patch

 

Hi!

While volunteering at the German Heart Centre in Berlin, I got to know four families whose son/daughter received a LVAD to bridge the time until a heart transplant is available. What I learned is: it was good to bridge a short time like a few weeks or two or three months, but after a couple of months complications became more and more frequent. This is also what the doctors there said.
Two kids ended up with major bleedings in their brains and died. They needed a lot of blood-thinning medications because inside the device blood clots developed again and again, and all those blood thinners then caused the major bleedings in their brains. The other two kids made it till heart transplant, one of them only had the LVAD for 2 weeks. The other kid had it for almost a year, and she actually had two, one for the left and one for the right ventricle. She had no major bleedings, but some other complications, wound issues etc. Now, all of these kids had a "Berlin Heart Excor Pediatric", and none of them ever got home with this kind of LVAD. But I read an article about a young women who went home with a LVAD for more than a year, before she received a heart transplant.

So, although LVADs in children are maybe much different from those for adults (guess there is more research on LVADs for adults), I thought I'd share what I know about them with you. Hope this helps. Are you waiting for a transplant or why do you want to ask your doctor about it?

Best wishes
Inga

 

I am 79, so will never get a heart transplant, but am courious about a lvad to improve quality of life. I have read where the new ones can last several years at home. read about one that lasted 5 years.
thomas

 

Ok... I thought LVADs were just for people who need a heart transplant. Or if there is a chance that by letting the device assist their weakened heart for a while, the heart muscle recovers and gains back some strength so that the LVAD can be taken out and no transplant is needed. And I think the latter was something they discovered when implanting a LVAD in someone who was in need for a transplant, but whose heart actually recovered. They never expected this to happen. Never heard of someone getting an LVAD who was not in need for a heart transplant. But just ask your doctor about it, maybe he knows.
Good luck!
Inga

 

The Left Ventricular Assist Device was originally intended as Snitch rightly thought, as a bridge to transplant. Keep you alive until a heart could be found. As the pump has evolved, they realized there were many patients who do not qualify for a transplant but would benefit from the use of an LVAD.

A research study has shown newer pumps can be used long term as a solution with an estimated 10 years added longevity. The pump or LVAD Dick Cheney received, Heartmate II is one of these machines. Unfortunately there are some inherent design problems which still need to be overcome.

One is the impellor will tend to throw clots and while thinners can help it does not eliminate the risk. Another is the simple fact the motors burn out, and still another is that the battery charge hold time is low.

Many of these factors are improving but still a ways to go for long term use.

The following are some sites that may be beneficial.

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4599

http://www.micromedcv.com/european/newsroom/press_releases/092409_bluestein.html

http://www.syncardia.com/

http://www.thoratec.com/medical-professionals/vad-product-information/heartmate-xve-lvad.aspx

If you have any further questions let me know.

CABG Patch

 

Hi Guys-

LVAD's have proved to be an effective--although not perfect--technology. The good news is the technology is rapidly changing and improving, and an LVAD with power built into the unit (no battery packs or drivelines) appears to be coming very soon.

In addition to the links that CABG posted above, there is also a new website called http://MyLVAD.com which has news, videos, and community discussions on LVAD's. A number of current and past LVAD patients have posted on the site, and I found it very helpful.

Good luck!
- NCW926