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A ventricular assist device (VAD), also known as a heart pump, is a mechanical device that helps pump blood from the heart to the rest of your body.
This picture shows one type of a left-ventricular assist device (LVAD). This device pulls blood from the left ventricle and pumps it to the aorta and the rest of the body. Other types of VADs pull blood from the right ventricle or both ventricles and pump it to the rest of the body. The heart still pumps some blood on its own. But the VAD helps the heart pump blood better.
A VAD can be implanted inside the body or worn outside the body. If it is implanted, surgery is done to place it in the chest area.
The pump is connected to a control system by a thin cable, also called a lead or driveline. This cable comes out of your belly through a small cut in your skin called an exit site.
The pump part of a VAD can be implanted, but the VAD battery packs and control system are worn outside the body. The battery packs and control system can be worn on a shoulder strap and belt.
Current as of: September 7, 2022
Author: Healthwise StaffMedical Review: Rakesh K. Pai MD, FACC - Cardiology, ElectrophysiologyAdam Husney MD - Family MedicineMartin J. Gabica MD - Family MedicineDavid C. Stuesse MD - Cardiac and Thoracic SurgeryE. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal MedicineStephen Fort MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Rakesh K. Pai MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine & David C. Stuesse MD - Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery & E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine & Stephen Fort MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
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