Home > Encyclopedia of Medicine > Ventricular Assist Device

Definition

A ventricular assist device (VAD) is a mechanical pump used for temporary blood circulation support. It decreases the workload of the heart while maintaining adequate flow and blood pressure.

Purpose

A VAD is a temporary life-sustaining device. VADs can replace the left ventricle (LVAD), the right ventricle (RVAD), or both ventricles (BIVAD). They are used when the heart muscle is damaged and needs to rest in order to heal or when blood flow from the heart is inadequate. VADs can also be used as a bridge in patients awaiting heart transplantation or in patients who have rejected a transplanted heart.

Examples of patients who might be candidates for a VAD are those who:

• have suffered a massive heart attack
• cannot be weaned from heart-lung bypass after treatment with intravenous fluids,...