Knowing Your Device and
Understanding Surgery
Over the years, advanced technology has been used to develop devices to help patients diagnosed with heart failure. Many of these devices, although designed for adults, have been adapted for use in children. Let’s explore each device and what to expect before, during, and after surgery.
Over the years, advanced technology has been used to develop devices to help patients diagnosed
with heart failure. Many of these devices, although designed for adults, have been adapted for use
in children. Let’s explore each device and what to expect before, during, and after surgery.
1
Pacemaker/ICD
2
VADs
3
Pre-Transplant
4
CardioMEMS™
HeartMate 3™ LVAD
Overview
Your HeartMate 3™ LVAD will work by continuously spinning blood from the weak part of the heart, through the device, out to the aorta, and the rest of the body. There is a small rotor located inside the VAD that helps with this spinning motion. The pump is always connected to a controller and requires a power source to keep the VAD spinning. Because the continuous flow device bypasses the weakened heart chamber, you may not be able to feel your pulse.
Already have a HeartMate 3™ LVAD?
Want more information? Check out the HeartMate 3™ LVAD ACTION Patent Education Handbook.
¿Hablas Español? Aquí está la versión en Español.
Are you an ADULT with a HeartMate 3™ LVAD?
We created a patient handbook resource for information tailored to adults as well. See the HeartMate 3™ LVAD Adult ACTION Patent Education Handbook.
The goal of the VAD is to improve the way you feel. Learn more about how a VAD could improve your quality of life in the interactive below.
While VADs have been shown to help many patients, living with a VAD has its challenges. VAD patients must:
- take blood thinners and other medicines to help the heart
- make frequent visits to the doctor to make sure the VAD is working right
- have a caregiver who understands how the pump works
- change the bandages and clean the area where parts of the pump meet the skin
Learning about your VAD is an important part of getting you discharged and keeping you safe. Watch this video to learn more about how your device works.
Your care team will provide you with more in-depth training to prepare for the VAD quiz that you and your caregivers must complete before leaving the hospital.
Download our VAD-Venture iOS App for the HeartMate 3™ LVAD!
Check out our VAD-Venture Controller Change-Out simulation app for iOS. This simulation game is designed to help you practice changing out the HeartMate 3™ LVAD controller, in return helping you build the confidence needed to properly care for your device.
Don’t have iOS? Practice your skills here.
test
Benefits
HeartMate 3™ LVAD can be used to help a heart pump for many reasons. Depending on your situation, it may be used as:
- Bridge to Transplant: To support the heart until the best donor heart is available for transplant.
- Destination or Chronic Therapy: To support the heart, decrease heart failure symptoms and improve overall quality of life.
- Bridge to Recovery: To support the heart if there is a chance the heart will recover.
- Bridge to Decision: To support the heart until a decision can be made by the family and medical team regarding next steps (surgeries or medications).
Is this VAD Right for Me?
Find out if a continuous flow VAD is right for you.
Risks
There are also some risks associated with having a VAD, but your care team will work hard to keep you safe.
Infection
The driveline comes out of your belly and will need to be cleaned frequently. This is important because bacteria lives on your skin and may cause an infection at your driveline site. You may feel nervous the first few times your dressings are changed, but your care team will be there to support you.
Stroke
There is a risk of stroke with all VADs. A clot can form in the VAD, become dislodged, and may travel up a blood vessel to the brain. A blood clot in the brain leads to a decreased blood flow to the brain in that specific area, and this is called a stroke. Your care team will manage your blood thinner medicines and levels carefully to try to prevent a stroke. Sometimes, even with perfect levels, a stroke will occur.
Your care team will monitor you for the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Confusion
- Numbness and/or tingling on one side of the body
- Weakness on one side of the body
- Slurred speech
Bleeding
There is a risk of bleeding with all VADs. To prevent clots from forming in the device, you have to be on a blood thinner. Sometimes the blood thinner will lead to bleeding that may require a change in medicines, a blood transfusion, or in some cases, a surgery to stop the bleeding. Your care team will manage your blood thinner medicine and levels carefully to try to prevent bleeding. Sometimes, even with perfect levels bleeding will occur.
Pediatric VAD Infections
Download the pdf to learn more.
Take ACTION Reducing Stroke Rates
Download the pdf to learn more.
Device Components
Cannulae
During VAD surgery, your heart surgeon will place cannulae that are special tubes made of a very soft silicone material. These soft cannulae will come out of your lower chest area just below your breastbone.
Your heart has two pumping chambers, a left ventricle and a right ventricle. Your cardiologist and surgeon will decide if you need support on just one ventricle or both. If you only need support for one ventricle, you will have two cannulae. If you need support for both ventricles, you will need four cannulae.
Blood Pump
The soft cannulae connect to a blood pump that is chosen especially for you. This blood pump is hand-crafted by scientists and engineers to provide adequate blood flow to your entire body. It’s like a little heart that is outside of your body.
Your blood pump has another tube connected to it where air will move in and out of it. But don’t worry, the air will not go into your body. Instead the air helps the blood pump to fill and push blood out just like a real heart can.
IKUS
The IKUS is an air compressor that helps move air in and out of your blood pump, helping it fill and eject. Your Berlin Heart makes a humming sound, which is normal. A computer sits on top of the IKUS and allows doctors to adjust the settings of your Berlin Heart. There are several settings your care team may adjust, like the air pressure strength, how often the air pressure moves in and out, and how many times your Berlin Heart pumps.
Benefits
The Berlin Heart helps patients with heart failure, as it improves blood circulation. A Berlin Heart may help reduce heart failure symptoms and improve quality of life while waiting for a heart transplant or your heart to get better.
Risks
There are some risks with a Berlin Heart, but your care team will work hard to keep you safe.
Infection
The soft cannula will come out of your lower chest and will need to be cleaned frequently. This is important because bacteria lives on your skin and may cause an infection at your cannula site. You may feel nervous the first few times your dressings are changed, but your care team will be there to support you.
Stroke
There is a risk of stroke with all VADs. A clot can form in the VAD, become dislodged, and may travel up a blood vessel to the brain. A blood clot in the brain leads to a decreased blood flow to the brain in that specific area, and this is called a stroke. Your care team will manage your blood thinner medicines and levels carefully to try to prevent a stroke. Sometimes, even with perfect levels, a stroke will occur.
Your care team will monitor you for the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Confusion
- Numbness and/or tingling on one side of the body
- Weakness on one side of the body
- Slurred speech
Bleeding
There is a risk of bleeding with all VADs. To prevent clots from forming in the device, you have to be on a blood thinner. Sometimes the blood thinner will lead to bleeding that may require a change in medicines, a blood transfusion, or in some cases, a surgery to stop the bleeding. Your care team will manage your blood thinner medicine and levels carefully to try to prevent bleeding. Sometimes, even with perfect levels bleeding will occur.
Pediatric VAD Infections
Download the pdf to learn more.
Take ACTION Reducing Stroke Rates
Download the pdf to learn more.
