LVAD - what is it?

I will cut and paste and share some links here.   Until February 2017, I really didn't know what they were.  Unfortunately, usually when you learn about them is when you are making a decision in a few days or hours and this decision can mean life or hospice.....

What Is a LVAD?

A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a pump that we use for patients who have reached end-stage heart failure. We surgically implant the LVAD, a battery-operated, mechanical pump, which then helps the left ventricle (main pumping chamber of the heart) pump blood to the rest of the body. LVADs can be used as:

• Bridge-to-transplant therapy: This is a life-saving therapy for patients awaiting a heart transplant. Patients use the LVAD until a heart becomes available. In some cases, the LVAD is able to restore the failing heart, eliminating the need for a transplant. Learn more about heart transplant.
• Destination therapy: Some patients are not candidates for heart transplants. In this case, patients can receive long-term treatment using an LVAD, which can prolong and improve patients' lives.

Larry has a HeartMate iii, which is the 3rd generation.....  He had his surgically implanted on March 7, 2017 at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas by Dr. John M. Ransom.  This was one of the original medical centers for this procedure and is one of the 10 now doing the HM3....

HeartMate iii Manual