Patients who are listed and waiting for a Heart Transplant may need extra support in the way of Bridging via Mechanical Devices called a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) or a Total Artificial Heart (TAH).
What devices are used while waiting for a heart transplant?
Patients who are listed and waiting for a Heart Transplant may need extra support in the way of Bridging via Mechanical Devices called a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) or a Total Artificial Heart (TAH).
What is a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)?
A LVAD is essentially a blood pump which takes over the function of the left ventricle to maintain continuous blood flow. It is surgically implanted into the chest and connects to the heart. A LVAD is electrical and hence has an external power source and controller. The LVAD is operated or driven by a thin cable exiting the skin in the abdomen.
What is a Total Artificial Heart (TAH)?
A TAH is also surgically inserted into the chest after the damaged heart is removed. A TAH replaces the human heart with a biventricular air driven pump. It is also electrical and has a sophisticated external power source and controller. There are two drivelines that come out under the skin in the abdomen which operate the TAH.
What are the benefits of a LVAD and a TAH?
The prospect of having to live with a LVAD or TAH can be extremely daunting. These mechanical devices are designed to provide patients with the opportunity to go home to wait for their CALL for transplant. While these devices may be uncomfortable and inconvenient they extend and support patients’ lives while waiting for a transplant.
During this waiting time the devices may assist patients to improve their overall health through:
Increasing your ability to exercise and participate in cardiac rehabilitation
Allowing time to improve your nutrition, particularly if you have had lengthy stays in hospitals where most hospitals order in pre-made frozen meals rather than meals being prepared fresh daily on site.
Spending valued time with family and friends
Catching up on rest with peace and quiet after the bustle and noise of hospitals
Freedom from hospital routines and testing like bloods, obs observations), Doctor rounds, meals, medications etc.
Lived Experience:
As it turns out there was no mechanical support available to me as I had Right Ventricular Heart Failure and the Left side of my heart was also extremely damaged from cardiac sarcoidosis and numerous heart ablations. As I was too small framed I was not eligible for this bridging to transplant. Therefore I was terminal and waiting to be listed for 5 months while recovering from previous surgeries. While I was not fitted with a LVAD or TAH, I did experience the discomfort and inconvenience of wearing an external defibrillator for 3 months.
I would love to hear from readers who may have had a LVAD or TAH. I am sure other readers would benefit from your experiences and especially any solutions you found that improved your quality of life during this phase of your journey. Please leave a comment in the form below.
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