Talk to a Patient Ambassador
Get a firsthand account of what life is like after LVAD by connecting with our HeartMate patient ambassadors.
A Heart Pump for Advanced Heart Failure
It is important to understand that heart failure is a serious condition. It is also important to recognize if your symptoms are getting worse. If you have worsening symptoms your doctor may suggest advanced therapies to manage and treat your heart failure.
If you have advanced heart failure (NYHA Class IIIB or IV), your doctor may suggest a heart pump—often called a Left Ventricular Assist Device or LVAD. It is connected to your heart to help it pump blood throughout your body.
About LVAD Therapy
LVAD therapy is a proven, well-known option for people with advanced heart failure. It can be used for both short-term and long-term heart support for adult and pediatric patients. Studies have shown advanced heart failure patients treated with the HeartMate 3™ LVAD can live longer and enjoy a much-improved quality of life.1 Long-term survival rate with a HeartMate 3 LVAD is comparable to the rate of heart transplantation two years after surgery.1,2
Your doctor may refer you to a heart failure specialist if he or she thinks you need advanced treatment to manage your heart failure. This could include LVAD therapy. The earlier you meet with a heart failure specialist, the more time you'll have to learn about your advanced options and plan your treatment.
Associated risk of LVAD therapy can include bleeding, stroke, thrombosis and other possible adverse events.
Find a Heart Failure LVAD Clinic
Need help finding an LVAD clinic near you? Our LVAD clinic finder will connect you with an advanced heart failure care team in your area.
Talk to Your Doctor About LVAD Therapy
It’s important to talk to your doctor and ask questions about heart failure. Learn as much as you can about it. The more you know, the more confident you can be in making decisions about managing your heart failure. As with any medical procedure, there are risks with LVAD therapy. It’s important to understand these risks and discuss them with your doctor. You may consider asking:
- If I have NYHA Class IIIB or IV heart failure, what advanced therapies are options for me?
- Am I a candidate for LVAD therapy?
- Should I see an advanced heart failure specialist for evaluation for advanced therapies, including LVAD therapy?
- Are there additional resources to learn more about LVAD therapy?
- Can I be connected with a Patient Ambassador who has received a HeartMate 3 LVAD to learn about their experience?
Additional Information
These materials are not intended to replace your doctor’s advice or information. For any questions or concerns you may have regarding the medical procedures, devices and/or your personal health, please discuss these with your physician.
References
- Mehra MR, Uriel N, Naka Y, et al. A Fully Magnetically Levitated Ventricular Assist Device-Final Report. N Engl J Med. 2019;380:1618-1627.
- Khush KK, Cherikh WS, Chambers DC, et al. The International Thoracic Organ Transplant Registry of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation: Thirty-fifth Adult Heart Transplant Report-2018; Focus Theme: Multiorgan Transplantation. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2018;37:1155-1168.
MAT-2108552 v5.0
Stay Connected