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Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Use of Two Intracorporeal Ventricular Assist Devices As a Total Artificial Heart
Published on: May 11, 2018
Ventricular assist device: saving the failing heart
Sudha Kurien1, Colleen Gallagher
1Center for Heart Transplant & Assist Devices, Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oaklawn, IL 60453, USA. sudha.kurien@advocatehealth.com
Ventricular assist devices improve survival and quality of life for end-stage heart failure patients. Advanced continuous flow devices offer favorable long-term outcomes, minimizing complications.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Device Technology
Background:
- Mechanical circulatory support, including ventricular assist devices (VADs), aims to enhance survival and quality of life for end-stage heart failure patients.
- VADs represent a viable long-term surgical solution for carefully selected individuals with advanced heart failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To illustrate the patient selection and evaluation process for ventricular assist device therapy in end-stage heart failure.
- To provide a comprehensive overview of pre-, intra-, and post-implantation care for VAD recipients.
Main Methods:
- A case study approach was employed to detail the VAD implantation process.
- Comprehensive pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative patient management strategies were described.
Main Results:
- Ventricular assist device therapy is presented as a superior option for patients with end-stage heart failure refractory to medical management.
- The study highlights the positive impact of VADs on patient outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Ventricular assist devices are a superior therapeutic choice for end-stage heart failure patients who are intolerant to or have failed medical therapy.
- Advancements in nonpulsatile continuous flow VAD technology are yielding favorable long-term results, marked by reduced complications and improved quality of life.
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