Strong Heart and Vascular Center

Transplant

Bridging the Gap

Many patients awaiting transplant respond well to aggressive medical therapy. Some, however, experience worsening symptoms despite maximum levels of oral medications. For those patients, there are several specialized treatment strategies we can apply.

Intravenous Medications

An intermittent or continuous intravenous infusion of an inotropic agent, a medication that increases the heart's ability to contract more vigorously, is often effective in restoring acceptable cardiac function. Other intravenous treatments may include intravenous diuretics to more precisely control sodium balance and fluid retention.

Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump

This mechanical device is used to reduce the workload of your heart and to improve flow of blood to your coronary arteries. A thin ballooned catheter is positioned within your aorta after being introduced through an artery. It opens and closes in response to your heart's contractions. When the balloon inflates, it pushes blood to the heart and other organs; when it deflates it decreases the effort needed by the heart to pump. An IABP is usually employed for a few days only because it requires you to be in bed.

Mechanical Support With A Ventricular Assist Device (VAD)

A VAD is a surgically implanted mechanical pump device. An LVAD (left ventricular assist device) simulates the work of the left ventricle, the main pumping chamber of the heart. An RVAD simulates the work of the right ventricle, and a BiVAD (biventricular assist device) works similarly to an LVAD but connects the right ventricle to the pulmonary artery. Our program utilizes four of the five FDA-approved ventricular assist devices for bridge to transplant or bridge to recovery. They include:
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• Thoratec LVAD/RVAD/BiVAD
• Abiomed BVS 5000 LVAD/RVAD/BiVAD
• HeartMate VE LVAD

The HeartMate VE pneumatic system left ventricular assist device is a fist-sized implantable. The device is one of the most recent generation of LVADs (left ventricular assist device) that performs the work of the main pumping chamber of the heart. It has the potential to support circulation for months to years and allows you to remain mobile and out of the hospital.

The HeartMate VE pneumatic system has been FDA approved for use in non-transplant eligible patients. This is the only pump that is FDA approved for this indication. It's expected that 100,000 patients in the United States will be candidates for this device.