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Bridge-to-Recovery
Patients that present with acute onset of heart failure may benefit from a mechanical assist device that allows the heart to rest and recover on its own. This indication is called “Bridge-to-Recovery”. Two devices are used at University Health Care for short term heart support: the Tandem Heart and Thoratec VAD systems (VAD and IVAD).
The TandemHeart
The TandemHeart blood pump is a ventricular assist device that acts to unload the left side of the heart. Oxygenated blood is withdrawn from the left atrium into the pump. Because the blood which flows through the pump does not have to go through the left ventricle, the left ventricle also has to do less work to move the blood to the aorta. Since it is the left side of the heart that is most commonly compromised by a heart failure, the TandemHeart pump is able to support the heart's task of pumping blood through the body.
Thoratec VAD and IVAD Systems
The Thoratec VAD and IVAD Systems are designed to provide short-term or long-term cardiac support for patients whose hearts are too damaged or diseased to provide adequate blood flow. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved both systems for two different uses. The first, bridge-to-heart transplantation, is for patients who are on a waiting list to receive a donor heart. The second, postcardiotomy recovery, is for short-term support after heart surgery. This use allows the heart to rest and recover, and is usually for a short period of time. However, the Thoratec VAD and IVAD Systems can be used for as long as you need to recover.
The most significant difference between the VAD and IVAD Systems is that the IVAD system can be implanted for increased convenience and mobility.
The Thoratec VAD and IVAD Systems can be used to help support the right side, left side, or both sides of the heart.
