Page 186 - Business Development Orientation Binder

4/10/2019

What Is an LVAD?

 LVAD - Left Ventricular Assistive Device (LVAD)
• A mechanical pump that is implanted inside a patient’s
chest
• Helps patients with severe Left Ventricular dysfunction
and heart failure

 LVADs are used…

• For people awaiting heart transplant
• For people whose condition makes it impossible for them
to get a heart transplant.
• To rest the heart after surgery.
LVADs do not replace the heart like an artificial heart does

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Why LVADs?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the
Western world

• ~5 million people in the US have congestive heart failure (CHF)

• 250,000 are in the most advanced stage of CHF

• ~500,000 new cases each year

• ~50,000 deaths each year

• Only effective treatment for end stage CHF is heart transplant

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