Understanding LVAD: A Heart Pump Assist Device for Advanced Heart Failure Patients
The Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) technology has become one of the therapeutic options for patients with advanced heart failure who experience a significant decline in heart pumping function and no longer respond optimally to medication or other medical interventions.
“The LVAD is a device used as an artificial heart pump that is surgically implanted. Its purpose is to take over the pumping function of the left side of the heart, specifically the left ventricle, and subsequently circulate blood to the entire body,” said Dr Leonardo Paskult Suciadi, a Cardiologist and Vascular Specialist with a subspecialty in advanced heart failure and Coordinator of the Heart Failure Clinic at Siloam Kebon Jeruk Hospital, during a discussion in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He explained that the LVAD is an artificial heart pump that assists the left ventricle in pumping blood throughout the body, making it suitable for supporting heart function in patients with advanced heart failure.
Before undergoing LVAD implantation, patients must undergo a thorough assessment to determine their eligibility for the procedure.
“Therefore, we must conduct a comprehensive examination to assess the patient’s overall condition, not just their heart,” he stated.
Supporting examinations, such as X-rays, thoracic CT scans, and abdominal ultrasounds, are also performed as part of the patient classification and stratification process prior to the procedure.
Once the LVAD is implanted, the patient’s heart continues to work alongside the artificial pump, necessitating regular monitoring.
Monitoring includes adjusting the device’s speed and evaluating heart performance, while also anticipating risks such as infection and mechanical mismatch between the device and the patient’s heart.
Long-term care also requires the involvement of both the patient and their family, including understanding how to use the device, recognising conditions that require immediate medical attention, and attending scheduled follow-up appointments.
According to the doctor, integrated services are necessary to ensure the patient’s condition can be monitored comprehensively, including through early detection of cardiac disturbances and more complete medical history documentation.
The implementation of LVAD, he added, also demonstrates the importance of a multidisciplinary team’s readiness in managing advanced heart failure patients, ranging from the selection process and implantation procedure to post-operative care as patients return to their daily activities.