Also called ventricular assist system or VAS
A ventricular assist device (VAD) is a mechanical pump that helps a weakened heart pump blood throughout the body. It is used as a "bridge-to-transplant" for those whose medical therapy has failed and are hospitalized with end-stage systolic heart failure. More recently, the VAD device is providing an alternative to transplant or "destination therapy."
- Cleveland Clinic is one of the few institutions worldwide who have access to many FDA approved mechanical ventricular assist systems including the Heartmate, Novacor, Thoratec, Debakey, Jarvik, and Abiomed devices. This allows us to choose the device that will best suit each patient's clinical needs. Cleveland Clinic surgeons are participating in two randomized trials comparing permanent support with an implantable (Novacor) and a continuous flow (Debakey) pump to the Heartmate device.
- As one of the most experienced VAD programs in the United States, the Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute has implanted over 500 devices. In 2004, 19 patients were supported with four different ventricular assist devices.
- In the critically ill patient awaiting cardiac transplantation, the VAD provides effective hemodynamic support, and maintains or improves other organ function. In the critically-ill patient awaiting cardiac transplantation, the VAD provides effective hemodynamic support and maintains or improves other organ function. Patients who receive VAD therapy in the Kaufman Center for Heart Failure are able to participate in cardiac rehabilitation -- improving exercise performance and rehabilitation. Most importantly, these patients can be discharged to an outpatient setting until an organ becomes available for transplant.
- The benefit of this therapy is reflected in a survival of 84%, 74%, 64%, and 55% at 30 days, 3 months, 1 year, and 4 years after embarking on the strategy of VAD bridge to transplant. This includes mortality during VAD support as well as that after transplant.
- Lessons learned with the bridge to transplant experience have resulted in our ability to provide VAD as permanent or “destination” therapy. For selected individuals with severe, refractory heart failure, the Kaufman Center has been approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and FDA to offer this life saving therapy.
