Ventricular assist devices (VADs) provide long-term treatment options for people with advanced heart failure who can’t get heart transplants. And the newest generation of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are safer and more effective than ever before. They now offer survival rates comparable to heart transplantation.
In our multidisciplinary Advanced Heart Failure/LVAD Clinic, our dedicated team includes experts in heart failure, palliative care, social work and neuropsychology. They come together to address the special physical, emotional and practical needs of people who need VADs.
What Are Ventricular Assist Devices?
Ventricular assist devices help the heart pump enough blood to care for the body’s needs. They are also called cardiac assist devices.
The heart has four chambers: two atria and two ventricles. Heart surgeons implant these mechanical pumps into the heart’s ventricles, or lower chambers. VADs are powered by rechargeable batteries that you carry or wear.
Your doctor may recommend a VAD as a:
- Bridge to recovery (a temporary solution to give your heart time to rest and heal)
- Bridge to transplant (a temporary solution until a donor heart becomes available)
- Destination therapy (a permanent solution to assist your weakened heart)
Ventricular Assist Devices: The Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Advantage
We build a solid foundation for a great outcome by getting to know you. This personalized approach includes a rigorous evaluation process. During it, your VAD team works with our social work, neuropsychology and palliative care teams to ensure you’ll benefit from a VAD. They also make sure you have support systems in place to help you recover.
You can also expect:
- VAD expertise: Our VAD team includes cardiothoracic surgeons from the Lancaster General Health Physicians Cardiothoracic Surgery group. These board-certified surgeons have advanced training in heart failure and VADs. They are also known for providing outstanding outcomes. Board-certified heart failure doctors also provide medical management for people with VADs. And our VAD-trained dedicated nurse practitioners and registered nurse VAD Coordinator round out your team These nationally recognized nurse practitioners are VAD experts with the experience and compassion to help you improve your quality of life.
- Patient-centered approach: In our Heart Failure Clinic, treatments focus on improving your heart function to enhance your quality of life. Part of your care involves closely monitoring the progression of heart failure. We use this information to prepare you for what’s to come and reduce your stress. With upfront discussions, we empower you to make informed decisions about your care.
- Experience: Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital is one of the first community hospitals in the U.S. to have an LVAD program. This experience has given us special expertise in implanting and managing VADs. It has also helped our patients be among some of the longest surviving in the U.S.
- Nationally recognized VAD care: Our Advanced HF/LVAD Clinic in the Heart & Vascular Institute is among a select group of cardiac centers in the nation accredited to offer VAD technology as a destination therapy. We also have advanced VAD certification from the Joint Commission, an organization nationally known as a symbol of quality health care.
- LVAD support group: We offer an LVAD support group where patients regularly meet and share their experiences. They answer each other’s questions, support one another and discuss tried-and-true ways of making life with an LVAD easier.
Types of Ventricular Assist Devices
We offer all currently available ventricular assist devices. That way, we can choose the device that’s best for your health, age, gender, size and lifestyle. Types of VADs include:
- Left ventricular assist device: Doctors implant LVADs in the left ventricle. The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to your body. Doctors sometimes use LVADs as a bridge to transplant, but more often use them as a destination therapy.
- Percutaneous ventricular assist device: Interventional cardiologists implant these temporary VADs without surgery. Instead, they put them in via a catheter (long, thin tube) threaded up to the heart through a blood vessel. Impella®, the world's smallest heart pump, is one type of percutaneous VAD.
- Right ventricular assist device (RVAD): The right ventricle pumps blood to your lungs. Doctors temporarily implant RVADs into the right ventricle to help your heart recover after surgery or cardiogenic shock (when the heart suddenly is unable to pump enough blood).
LVADs: What to Expect
Mechanical heart pumps require ongoing care, especially in the days and weeks after your VAD surgery. Here’s how we prepare you for a successful outcome:
Before Your VAD Surgery
To get you ready for VAD surgery and life with a VAD, we:
- Show you your device and how it works
- Educate you about life before, during and after VAD surgery
- Connect you with someone who already has an LVAD, so you can get their perspective on your questions and concerns
- Connect you with our LVAD support group
- Perform heart imaging and tests to ensure a safe procedure
During VAD Surgery
During your VAD procedure, we:
- Give you anesthesia so you stay asleep and don’t feel pain
- Connect you to a heart-lung bypass machine, which pumps oxygenated blood for your heart while we implant the LVAD
- Implant the LVAD through a chest incision
After Your VAD Surgery
To optimize your recovery, you remain in the hospital for several days following your surgery. We also help you enroll in our cardiac rehab and vascular rehab program, which helps people recover faster and prevents other heart issues.
- After you return home, we check in with you weekly by phone and see you monthly in the clinic. During these visits, we:
- Review your weight, vital signs and lab results
- Provide ongoing heart failure treatment and monitoring
- Schedule any needed tests
A Heart Group heart failure cardiologist and nurse practitioner also examine you. And our pharmacy team reviews and updates your medications if needed. Over time, you may come in less often for check-ups, depending on how you’re doing.
To proactively address your other needs, we coordinate with other Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health teams including behavioral health, social work and home health. We also teach you to care for yourself and your new VAD through education on diet, wound care and congestive heart failure.
Make an Appointment
To schedule a VAD consultation or connect with our Heart Failure Clinic, call 717-544-8300.