Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)
What is an LVAD?
When the heart is too weak to pump blood independently, a Left Ventricular Assist Device(LVAD)can help circulate blood throughout the body. It is implanted through open-heart surgery.
LVAD is designed to help people who have exhausted the limitations of medical therapies.
It can also help people suffering a recent onset of heart failure for various reasons, such as a virus or postpartum cardiomyopathy.
Benefits of an LVAD
After having an LVAD put in, people often find they have more energy than ever and can get back to doing the things they enjoyed before their heart condition slowed them down.
有左心室辅助装置的晚期心力衰竭患者往往比仅接受药物治疗的患者活得更长。
What We Offer
Led by experts fromOSF Cardiovascular Institute,the LVAD Program atOSF Saint Francis Medical Centerprovides a closer-to-home alternative for people in communities throughout central Illinois.
We take a multi-disciplinary approach to your advanced heart failure needs, and specialists help you deal with the impacts on your social, emotional and physical health.
The experienced team of surgeons and advanced heart failure cardiologists, plus a transplant coordinator on call 24/7, guide you through this journey of referral to LVAD.
How to Get Started
To learn if you qualify for LVAD at OSF Saint Francis,you need a physician's referralto the advanced heart failure specialists at OSF Cardiovascular Institute.
You will need to complete a series of consultations and testing to determine your candidacy. You will also receive psychosocial and financial counseling in addition to LVAD education.
You and your caregivers will have every opportunity to learn what you need to know and ask questions about the procedure itself and what to expect afterward.
Once the tests and evaluations are complete, the LVAD team meets to review your case to determine if an LVAD device is safe and appropriate for you.
如果你不是LVAD的候选人，你的心脏病医生会通知你委员会的决定和替代疗法。
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you go swimming with a ventricular assist device (VAD)?
Currently, none of the VAD’s we implant will allow you to submerge underwater.
你能用VAD洗澡吗?
You can shower when you get permission from your surgeon. You will have to protect the external VAD equipment and driveline site as directed by your VAD coordinator.
Can I be sexually active with a VAD?
Yes, you may resume sexual activity once you have recovered from your surgery.
Can I drive a car with a VAD?
Your surgeon or cardiologist will discuss this with you at your three-month return visit. They will be looking at your post-op recovery and any alarm or equipment issues. They may set limitations on where you can drive.
Can I ever be alone (without a caregiver)?
Our surgeons and cardiologist prefer you have strong caregiver support, especially in the early postoperative period (first three months). This will be reassessed three to six months after your implant, looking at how well you have recovered and can respond to emergency situations (troubleshooting alarms).
Does the VAD require dressing changes?
The driveline always requires a sterile dressing over the site. Your caregiver will start out having to change it daily for about three months. Then you should be transitioned to a weekly change, as long as there are no issues with the site.
Who will help me troubleshoot VAD equipment issues?
您的VAD团队有专人全天候待命，协助处理医疗和设备紧急情况。确保你和你的护理人员有随时待命的电话号码。
Will my local EMS and Fire Department know anything about my VAD?
当你出院回家时，你的VAD团队会通知当地急诊室和急救人员。VAD团队回答问题并提供教育材料;然而，亲自去拜访他们总是好的。看到真正的病人和设备仍然是有帮助的。
这些心脏泵能维持多久?
That is a complicated question with many different variables that your surgeon will go over with you before your implant. These devices are meant to either bridge you to a heart transplant (if you are a candidate) or extend your life and improve your heart failure symptoms. There are patients out over ten years with VAD’s.