Living with a HeartMate LVAD

HeartMate™ lvads can help patients with advanced heart failure live active, full lives ^{1, 2, 3, 4}

HeartMate^TM LVADs help hearts that aren’t pumping adequately to push the right amount of blood throughout the body, restoring vital oxygen and nutrients. The effects of restored blood flow will likely be noticed immediately upon waking from surgery. Many LVAD recipients find they have more energy than they did before because more oxygen-rich blood is moving through their bodies.⁵ Depending on their condition, LVAD recipients should be able to resume many of their daily life activities with the advice of their doctor.⁶

get to know the heartmate™ lvad system

1 HeartMate LVAD pump*
Connected to the left side of the heart and moves blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
2 Batteries
Rechargeable, lightweight and long-lasting; weighing less than one pound each.
3 Driveline
Transfers power and information between the controller and the heart pump. This component is partially outside of the body.
4 Controller
Powers and checks the pump and driveline. This easy-to-wear controller weighs less than one pound and discreetly slips into a front pocket. The controller uses alerts to communicate how the system is working and includes emergency backup power.
Mobile Power Unit -MPU (not pictured)
Plugs into an electrical socket to provide power while indoors, at rest or asleep. Small, lightweight and mobile, the unit is designed to be extremely durable.

*HeartMate 3^TM LVAD shown

Click here for an animation of the HeartMate 3™ LVAD working with the heart to pump blood through the body.

before and during LVAD surgery

Before the surgery is performed, the LVAD team will conduct an extensive evaluation and talk with patients and their families through the details of LVAD surgery, including possible risks and complications. Implanting the LVAD usually takes 3 to 6 hours.

recovery

While recovering in the hospital, patients and their caregivers will receive instruction on post-surgical care. They will also learn how to operate and live with the HeartMate LVAD system. The LVAD care team will optimize the device and equipment settings for each recipient’s specific needs. Upon discharge from the hospital, there will be regular checkups with an LVAD care team.

Return to the activities you love (with few exceptions*)

Walking
Time with family & friends
Traveling
Golfing
Gardening
Dancing
Work/Volunteering

*Your advanced heart failure center will guide you on which activities you may need to avoid as an LVAD recipient. This includes contact sports, swimming and water sports since some components of the system are outside of the body and cannot be submerged in water.

how is heart failure impacting your life?

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Each of our heart failure patient stories reflects one person’s experience. Keep in mind that not everyone will experience the same results. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of your treatment options. And please note that Abbott does not provide medical services or advice as part of this website. Click here for indication and risk information for the HeartMate II^TM LVAD and the HeartMate 3^TM LVAD.

References:

1. Mehra M R, Naka Y, Uriel N, et al; for the MOMENTUM 3 investigators. A fully magnetically levitated circulatory pump for advanced heart failure. N Engl, J Med. 2017;376:440-450. 2. Cowger JA, Naka Y, Aaronson K, Horstmanshof D, Gulati S, Rinde-Hoffman D, et al (2017). Quality of life and functional capacity in the multicenter study of MAGLEV technology in patients undergoing mechanical circulatory support therapy with the HeartMate 3 (MOMENTUM 3) Pivotal Trial. 3. Park SJ, Milano C A, Tatooles A J, Rogers JG, Adamson R M, Steidley E., et al. for the HeartMate II Clinical Investigators (2012). Outcomes in advanced heart failure patients with left ventricular assist devices for destination therapy. Circulation: Heart Failure, 5(2), 241-248. http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.111.963991 4. John R, Naka Y, Smedira NG, Starling R, Jorde U, Eckman P, et al (2011). Continuous flow left ventricular assist device outcomes in commercial use compared with the prior clinical trial. Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 92(4), 1406-1413. 5. How life changes with an LVAD. Retrieved from https://www.mylvad.com/node/23401. 6. Ventricular Assist Device Procedure Details, Results. Retrieved from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/ventricular-assist-device/details/results/rsc-20167083#!

“this device is a blessing”

HeartMate™ lvads can help patients with advanced heart failure live active, full lives 1, 2, 3, 4