Heart Failure and Transplant

Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: Volume

2015 – 2021

Since 1989, Cleveland Clinic has been using ventricular assist devices to treat patients with advanced heart failure. These devices are used in both patients who are waiting for a heart transplant (bridge-to-transplant) and in patients who are not transplant candidates (destination therapy). Cleveland Clinic uses the latest available technology to deliver excellent outcomes.

LVAD = left ventricular assist device

Cleveland Clinic surgeons implanted 78 LVADs in 77 patients in 2021. Of these, 17 were used for bridge-to-transplant and 60 were used as destination therapy.

Continuous Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device: Postimplant Survival

June 2006 – December 2021

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) is a national registry for patients with mechanical circulatory support devices. Compared to national averages, the survival rates for Cleveland Clinic LVAD (left ventricular assist device) patients are better than expected at 1 year, 3 years, and 4 years after implant.

INTERMACS = Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support