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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
LVAD used as total artifical heart
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
LVAD used as total artifical heart
by Stephanie__0__0, Oct 21, 1998 12:00AM
I would like to get more information on a couple LVAD's if you have it. One is called NOVUS or Novacor, one is HeartSaver, and the last is the new HeatMate.
I am looking for an LVAD that can also be used as a total artificial heart for a close friend of mine who has been taken off the heart transplant list. He currently has a lvad implanted, but not the kind that can be used as a total artificial heart. We feel that maybe this may be his only option left, and time is running out.
He was taken off the transplant due to not only a bad heart, but also because of weakened arteries as well. They feel that a new heart or an artificial heart that replaces his heart won't be able to be supported by his arteries, but a total implantable lvad that can be used as an artificial heart, along with leaving in his own heart may be the answer. We are looking for miracles at this point.
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Dear Stephnie,
I am sorry to hear of the worsening of your friend's condition. When an LVAD is used "permanently" it is no different from the type used for short-term use. "Permanent" use of an LVAD is only being used in experimental studies and is not the miracle you are looking for. There sometimes comes a point when even the best of modern medicine can not provide a cure and it sounds as if your friend may be at this point. In times like these answers from your clergy may be more useful than those from doctors.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
