Who's a candidate?

VAD therapy may be an option if you: 

Talk to your doctor to learn more about VAD therapy and whether it's right for you.

• You'll go through several tests to assess your heart function and overall health. 
• We'll educate you about VAD therapy and how to care for the device and manage your heart failure. 

During the procedure:

• VAD surgery typically lasts four to eight hours. 

• Recovery from VAD surgery typically takes two to four weeks in the hospital. 
• You may need to go to a rehabilitation center before going home. 
• You'll have regular follow-up appointments with your heart failure team. 
• You'll receive prescriptions for heart medications and a long-term blood thinner. 
• You’ll have pain after surgery, but it should improve daily and go away before you’re discharged from the hospital. 
• Your strength and activity level should increase over time. 
• You won't be able to swim or be submerged in water with a VAD.

Benefits

If you have end-stage heart failure, VAD therapy can lead to improvements such as: 

• improved physical strength and activity: Your increased energy levels should allow you to participate in favorite activities and regain independence. 
• reduced heart failure symptoms: VAD therapy effectively manages symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue and fluid retention, enhancing your overall comfort and well-being. 
• increased life expectancy: VAD therapy is proven to significantly extend life expectancy with severe heart failure. That can mean more time for cherishing moments with loved ones.

• smaller pumps that result in smaller incisions
• easy-to-manage, wearable system
• lower-dose medication
• overall improved long-term outcomes