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Heart Disease In The News Battery-driven LVADs become permanent Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have been used for several years to attempt to support the function of a badly failing heart long enough for the patient to receive a heart transplant. The latest generation of LVADs, however, are now being used as a permanent means of therapy for some patients with end-stage heart failure. LVADs are different from artificial hearts in that they do not replace the heart's function, but merely give it a much needed "boost". They are battery powered and portable, and allow patients to lead a relatively normal life outside of the hospital. Experimental versions of portable, permanent LVADs are now being tested in human subjects. It is estimated that as many as 40,000 patients a year could benefit from such devices. |
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