LVAD San Antonio
LVAD (left ventricular assist device) therapy is a life-extending option for people with advanced heart failure. This option helps improve survival, restore daily function and enhance the individual's quality of life.
LVAD Treatment in San Antonio
At University Health, our LVAD program delivers comprehensive, team-based care for patients with complex and end-stage heart failure.
Whether used as a bridge to heart transplant or as long-term therapy, also called destination therapy (DT), LVAD support is part of a full continuum of care for advanced heart failure.
What Is LVAD?
An LVAD is a surgically implanted, battery-powered pump that helps your heart circulate blood throughout your body. When the left ventricle can no longer function effectively on its own, an LVAD supports it.
Your care team may recommend this treatment as:
- A bridge to transplant while waiting for a donor heart
- A long-term treatment if a transplant is not an option
- A way to improve symptoms and daily function in advanced heart failure
How an LVAD Works
An LVAD helps move oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body.
The LVAD has five main parts:
- The pump connected to left side of the heart (to move oxygen-rich blood)
- The Driveline connects the pump to the controller outside the body
- The Controller checks the LVAD to ensure it’s working (patients wear the controller in a bag or belt)
- Rechargeable batteries connected to left side of the heart (to move oxygen-rich blood)
- Wall power for sleeping under the rechargeable batteries
Together, these components allow the LVAD to take over much of the heart’s workload and improve circulation, reducing strain on the heart.
What Conditions Does LVAD Treat?
Advanced Heart Failure
LVADs primarily treat end-stage heart failure, also called Stage D heart failure. At this stage, the heart cannot effectively pump blood on its own. If left untreated, end-stage heart failure can be fatal within a year.
People with Stage D heart failure cannot comfortably carry out daily tasks and experience symptoms including:
- Extreme fatigue
- Difficulty breathing
- Fluid buildup in the legs and torso
- Heart palpitations
- Cognitive impairment
- Fainting
Benefits of LVAD
- Prolongs life expectancy
- Improves quality of life
- Helps alleviate symptoms of heart failure
- Leads to fewer hospitalizations due to heart failure
- Increases energy
- Acts as bridge to heart transplant, for those who are eligible
Risks of LVAD
Getting an LVAD requires open-heart surgery. With any major surgery comes risks, but your care team will closely monitor you during and after surgery for complications.
Risks of LVAD surgery include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Right heart failure
- Stroke
- Device malfunction
Before surgery, your surgeon and cardiologist will review all benefits and risks of the LVAD and help you make an informed decision.
Who Qualifies for LVAD?
Getting an LVAD is a major surgery, and it is not recommended for everyone. People who qualify for LVAD include:
- Those with advanced heart failure that is unresponsive to medication
- Those who do not qualify for a heart transplant
Before you are approved for LVAD, your medical team will perform tests to ensure you are a suitable candidate.
Preparing for LVAD Procedure
If you choose to move forward with the LVAD, your team will schedule you for surgery. The surgery will take up to eight hours, and you will be asleep for the duration of it. Before the surgery, you will need to find a designated caregiver, whether that be a family member or a friend, who can be available to assist you 24/7. Prepare your home by removing throw rugs and other trip hazards.
Getting an LVAD implant is a major surgery. You and your caregiver will need to plan for you to stay in the hospital for up to a month following the procedure.
Recovery, Outcomes and Results
After your surgery, you will recover in the intensive care unit (ICU), where your care team will monitor you for any post-surgery complications.
Once you have recovered enough to be downgraded from the ICU, you will be moved to a regular hospital room. Most people continue recovering in the hospital for two to four weeks. During this time, you’ll meet with physical therapists, dietitians and care coordinators to aid your recovery and ensure you and your caregiver know what to do once you’re sent home.
Patient Education
You will receive education about how to care for the LVAD equipment. It requires regular maintenance, and you should know how to respond to any alarms from the machine. You will also receive education about the medications you will need to take daily. Take all medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Follow-up Visits
Staying in touch with your care team and attending regular check-ups is critical to avoiding complications from the LVAD and ensuring it is working properly. Before you are discharged, your team will plan your next follow-up visit.
Lifestyle Changes with LVAD
- No drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco or illegal substances
- No swimming, baths or hot tubs
- Eat a heart-healthy diet
You may participate in cardiac rehabilitation to aid in your recovery.
The LVAD can extend the lives of those with end-stage heart failure. One study reported an 86% survival rate one year after implantation, 60% survival five years after transplantation, and a 52% survival rate seven years after transplant.
