Bridge-to-Transplant

Three devices are available at University Heath Care for help supporting the failing heart while a patient awaits a donor heart. The ventricular assists systems are designed to restore circulation of oxygenated blood to organs and tissues and improved physical conditioning through participation in rehabilitation.

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.

Heartmate XVE

HeartMate Left Ventricular Assist Systems (LVAS) are designed to assist the pumping function of the natural heart's left ventricle in patients with end-stage heart failure. The left ventricle, which supplies oxygenated blood to the body, accounts for about 80% of all heart failure. The HeartMate LVAS is indicated for use as a bridge to cardiac transplantation for patients with non-reversible left ventricular failure who are at risk of imminent death. The HeartMate LVAS allows patients to recover end organ function and improve physical conditioning while waiting for a donor heart to become available. The HeartMate XVE LVAS is also approved for use as Destination Therapy, i.e. LVAS support as an alternative to optimal medical therapy, for end-stage heart failure (ESHF) patients ineligible for heart transplants.
When the HeartMate pump is implanted, it takes over the pumping function from the left ventricle. Blood fills the HeartMate pump through a tube placed in the left ventricle. The Diaphragm of the pump moves up and down as the motor turns. This motion propels blood out of the pump into the aorta and the rest of the body. When the motor completes each revolution, the Diaphragm moves

Novacor

Blood enters the Novacor® LVAS pump through an inflow conduit connected to the recipient's left ventricle. The low resistance of the passively filling pump presents a reduced load to the left ventricle, allowing the diseased heart to pump a normal stroke volume. The pump ejects blood through an outflow conduit into the arterial system, thereby supporting the systemic circulation. The system is completely self-regulating, automatically adjusting its beat rate and stroke volume in response to the recipient's changing circulatory requirements.

The Novacor pump is FDA approved for Bridge-to-Transplant and is in clinical trials for Destination Therapy.