Left ventricular Assist Device: Conditions for LVAD

LVAD Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) is life saviour for the people with weak heart or the persons whose heart has stopped working. A LVAD performs functions of the heart that is it pumps the blood from lower chambers of heart to the entire part of the body. A LVAD is no more than a mechanical pump that is implanted in the person’s heart. It can either be placed in the left or right ventricles of the heart. If it is placed in left ventricle of heart then is known as the left ventricular assist device (LVAD). There is a proper procedure to have a LVAD transplanted. An open heart surgery is required so as to have a LVAD implanted. This procedure can be life saviours for the people who had severe heart failure. A LVAD transplant is also recommended by the LVAD surgeon if the person cannot undergo a heart transplant.

LVADs can be used as:

• Bridge-to-transplant therapy: In Bridge to transplant therapy, the LVAD is implanted in the heart until the heart is healthy enough to undergo a heart transplant. And in most of the cases, the heart transplant is not required after the LVAD implant as the LVAD restores the diseases heart.
• Destination therapy: There are many people who are not eligible for heart transplant and can never undergo a heart transplant. For such people LVAD acts as a life saviour as LVAD helps to restore the failing heart thereby increasing and improving the patient’s lives.

There are various pre-requisites for having a LVAD implanted. The LVAD can be implanted temporarily and when the heart is healthy enough to have a transplant, then the diseased heart undergoes a heart transplant procedure. Thus LVAD helps to keep the heart stable and help to improve the condition of the diseased heart. The LVAD also helps to improve the condition and the functioning of other organs of the body. This also helps to improve the other medical functioning of the body. A LVAD implant proves very useful for the people above age 65 years as for such people heart transplant is almost impossible. The number of LVAD expert in india are being increasing day by day as they are the only solution for those people whose heart is weak and has undergone failures. The quality of life is also enhanced of the person who is undergoing the LVAD implant in the heart. Here are some of the tips mentioned for undergoing a LVAD implant.

1. You and your doctor should discuss the concerns and the risks before having a LVAD implant.
2. The shaving of the hair is the necessary step before LVAD implantation. The place where the DR Krishan is to be place is shaved.
3. Before taking any decision, you should always discuss with your family about the procedure so that they could support you whenever required.
4. After the surgery, you have to be very particular about the food and medication. A proper diet as suggested by your doctor has to be followed.
5. You should talk to your doctor about the medicines and be clear that when to start taking the medicines after or before the surgery.