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Left Ventricular Assist Device

There are two types of heart failure: systolic and diastolic. For patients with systolic heart failure, the heart muscle becomes weak and enlarged. It can't pump enough blood forward when the ventricles contract. Ejection fraction, a measurement of how well your heart is working, is lower than normal.

Left Ventricular Assist Devices, also known as LVADs, can dramatically improve symptoms in patients with systolic heart failure. 

What is a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)?

A Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) is a  small implantable pump for patients with advanced heart failure. It is a surgically implanted battery powered, mechanical pump, which helps the left ventricle (main pumping chamber of the heart) pump blood to the rest of the body.

  • LVAD is indicated for short and long term mechanical circulatory support for patients (as a bridge to transplant or myocardial recovery or for more permanent support)

Why Choose Dignity Health Heart and Vascular Institute of Greater Sacramento?

Dignity Health Heart and Vascular Institute of Greater Sacramento offers specialized expertise to support, and improve the quality of life of, patients with advanced heart failure. Through its Advanced Heart Disease Clinic, our team supports patients through the entire continuum of care—from initial referral, through LVAD implant surgery, post-implant follow-up, education and support. They are also members of one of the largest heart surgery teams in California.

To contact the Advanced Heart Disease Clinic, call (916) 453-4768. For a referral to a Dignity Health specialist, please call (888) 253-1704.

Patient Testimonial 

When Kishore Mahabir began experiencing heart failure, the specialists at Dignity Health’s Advanced Heart Disease Clinic supported him along his journey to recovery—from the cardiovascular surgeons who implanted the life-changing medical device (the LVAD) to the Advanced Heart Failure cardiologists, LVAD coordinators, LVAD social worker, cardiovascular rehab therapists, and dietitian who supported him every step of the way. See his story.