Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)

-By Dr M.Tauseef Omer

In patients of heart disease with diminished or no left ventricular function , Jarvic 2000 LVAD is a life giver.
Its a device with a built in motor , that sucks in blood throuh Inlet and pumps the blood forward though the outlet into the Left Ventricle in the Continuous fashion (in contrast to the Pulsatile Natural Flow of blood by normal hearts.) The device is powered by external battery/powersource.






Jarvic 200 LVAD has two methods for Power Input to it.
1) Abdominal connector
2) Post auricular connector.

The abdominal connector is presumed to have been linked with abdominal infections in the patients with implants. Therefore , the cochlear implant like – post auricular(behind the ear) power input connectors are under trial in Europe and the U.S for the Jarvic LVAD 2000.

Another such Left Ventricular Assist Device is HeartMate II by Thoratec .

Patients who are candidates of Left Ventricular Assist Device are  those
1) not falling suitable for HEart transplant
2)waiting for heart transplant

More than 10 Years life expectancy is now assured with the Jarvic 2000 LVAD. The patient , however, will have to be on low-dose anticoagulant therapy throughout his life as it may sound obvious – a foriegn body installed in the body can be and should be a prime source of Thrombus formation in Blood, and so anticoagulation is mandatory.