VAD

1. VAD Ventricular Assist Devices “Turning Your Red Light Green Series”

2. Definition • A ventricular assist device (VAD) is a mechanical pump used for temporary blood circulation support. It decreases the workload of the heart while maintaining adequate flow and blood pressure.

3. Purpose • A VAD is a temporary life-sustaining device. VADs can replace the left ventricle (LVAD), the right ventricle (RVAD), or both ventricles (BIVAD). They are used when the heart muscle is damaged and needs to rest in order to heal or when blood flow from the heart is inadequate. VADs can also be used as a bridge in patients awaiting heart transplantation or in patients who have rejected a transplanted heart.

4. Example of one VAD device:HeartMate ® Implantable

5. The VAD consists of: • A pump unit, implanted in the abdomen (location of placement is based on the patient's past medical history, anatomy and surgeon preference) • An inflow tube (or conduit), attached to the bottom of the left ventricle (apex) • An outflow tube, attached to the aorta (the large artery that carries blood away from your heart) • Internal valves that allow for one-way blood flow through the system • Power leads, that pass from the internal device through the skin, and outside your body. The outside of the tube is covered with a special material so that skin cells grow into the material and aids healing.

6. The VAD consists of: • External controller and power base unit or battery pack that attaches to the power leads/cables. The controller is programmed to maintain a specific pump spread. It displays the status of the system and any alarm messages, and also sounds alarms if needed. The batteries are rechargeable and changed daily. • The controller and batteries can be worn in a belted waist pack or a holster under the arm. Or, it may be connected to a power base unit and plugged into a wall outlet. • The type of pump and other components depends on the type of VAD used

7. Mobility and freedom • The VAD allows patients to be mobile, and return home. A detailed education program is provided to the patient and family, or patient support system, to ensure safety and proper use of each of the components. The patient must demonstrate independence with self care, and management of the device and potential emergency situations before leaving the hospital

8. Patients who might be candidates for a VAD • Examples: • have suffered a massive heart attack • cannot be weaned from heart-lung bypass after treatment with intravenous fluids, medications, and insertion of a balloon pump in the aorta • have an infection in the heart wall that does not respond to conventional treatment • are awaiting a heart transplant and are unresponsive to drug therapy and intravenous fluids • are undergoing high-risk procedures to clear the blockages in a coronary artery

9. Criteria for Treatment • Although one in five people suffer left side ventricular failure, only a minority are candidates for VADs. To be considered for a VAD, patients must meet specific criteria concerning blood flow, blood pressure, and general health.

10. Poor candidates for a VAD • Include those with: • irreversible renal failure • severe disease of the vascular system of the brain • cancer that has spread (metastasized) • severe liver disease • blood clotting disorders • severe lung disease • infections that do not respond to antibiotics • extreme youth or age

11. Types of VADs • There are four types of VADs, each appropriate for a different condition. Surgery to install a VAD is performed under general anesthesia in a hospital operating room. An incision is made in the chest, then catheters are inserted into the heart and the correct artery. The surgeon sutures the catheters in place, then attaches tubing to connect the catheters to the pump. The pump stays outside the body. Once it is turned on, blood flows out of the diseased ventricle and into the pump, then is returned to the correct blood vessel leaving the heart.

12. After insertion • The patient is monitored in intensive care, with follow-up blood, urine, and neurological studies. Blood thinning medications are given to prevent blood clotting. • Except for those patients awaiting a heart transplant, patients are slowly and gradually weaned from the VAD. Even when patients no longer need the VAD, they will require supportive drug therapy and/or a balloon pump inserted in the aorta.

13. Risks • Bleeding from surgery is common and occurs in as many as 30-50% of patients. Other complications include the development of blood clots, partial paralysis of the diaphragm, respiratory failure, kidney failure, failure of the VAD, damage to the coronary blood vessels, stroke, and infection. • Sometimes when the left ventricle is supported, the right ventricle begins to need assistance. If VADs are inserted in both ventricles, the heart may become so dependent on their support that they cannot be removed.

14. Referrals • Request specific information from discharge planners regarding the type of VAD used. • Request specific written guidelines for the type of VAD used. • Ask for education/training in your center when they request the referral. Often they hospitals will send a nurse to train your staff.

15. Resources • Books • "Ventricular Assist Device." In The Patient's Guide to Medical Tests, ed. Barry L. Zaret, et al. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1997. • Other • "Ventricular Assist Devices." Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. New York State University http://www.bae.ncsu.edu • Ventricular Assist Device, FDA, http://www.fda.gov/hearthealth/treatments/medicaldevices/vad.html *