Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)

A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a LVAD is a battery-powered heart pump that is surgically implanted to assist the left side, the left ventricle, of the heart in distributing oxygenated blood to the body. It is a treatment option for patients awaiting a transplant or a therapy for long-term support and is one of the most common types of Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD).

A VAD is a mechanical device used to take over the pumping function for one or both of the heart’s ventricles, or pumping chambers. A VAD may be necessary when heart failure progresses to the point that medications and other treatments are no longer effective.