LVAD: Left Ventricular Assist Devices

You've been living with heart failure for a while. You may have noticed your symptoms getting worse. You might be feeling more tired, out of breath, or anxious about the future and wondering about the next step. The heart device specialists at UVA Health can answer that question. A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) can help your advanced heart failure.

Get the Latest LVAD Tech at UVA Health

Our heart failure program has earned national recognition, including multiple gold-level awards from the American Heart Association for our high standard of care. We use the most advanced, smallest heart pumps available in the U.S. today.

• Long-Term Success: Today’s modern LVADs last much longer than older models. Many patients live up to 10 years or longer with an LVAD and enjoy a much better quality of life compared to medical therapy alone. One- and two-year survival after LVAD is near that after a heart transplant.
• Small and Quiet: We use the latest, smallest pump designs, which are easier on the body and very quiet.
• Recovery at Home: You don't have to stay in the hospital. Once you've recovered from surgery, you can go home and get back to your daily life.
• Supports Your Health Through Other Care: If you're very ill, an LVAD can help you get strong enough for other medical procedures that might have been too risky before.

What Is an LVAD?

An LVAD is a small mechanical battery-operated pump. During a surgical procedure, the pump is placed inside your heart to help the left ventricle (the main pumping chamber) move blood to the rest of your body.

UVA Health has a long history of excellence with LVADs, as we were the first hospital in Virginia to offer LVADs.

Is an LVAD Right for You?

At UVA Health, we use LVADs in two main ways:

As a bridge to a heart transplant: An LVAD may manage your heart failure symptoms well and keep your body healthy while you wait for a heart transplant.

Permanent treatment (Destination Therapy): If you can't have a heart transplant due to age or other health reasons, an LVAD may be permanent solution that allows you to keep moving and living your life to the fullest.