What assist devices are available at Penn?
A number of devices are available depending on each patient’s individual circumstances. For short-term support, the Abiomed BVS 5000 pump is used.

For those who require long-term support while awaiting heart transplantation or whose recovery after a heart attack may take weeks or months, the HeartMate® left ventricular assist system (LVAS) or the Thoratec system can be utilized.

What is the HeartMate® LVAS?
The Heartmate® LVAS is an implantable cardiac assist device that takes over the pumping function of the natural heart. There are two versions of the HeartMate® system: the air driven system, powered by a portable external console; and the electric system, powered by wearable batteries that allow the patient complete mobility.

How does the HeartMate® system work?
The HeartMate® LVAS is designed to assist the function of the left ventricle, the main pumping chamber of the heart. The primary component of the system, the blood pump, is surgically placed just below the diaphragm and connected to the left ventricular chamber of the natural heart to receive the patient’s blood. It is then connected to the aorta, the main artery of the body, to deliver the blood to the rest of the circulation.

What are the differences between the air-driven system and the electric system?
An external console that is mounted on a wheeled cart powers the air-driven LVAS. This allows the patient to move about and participate in an active rehabilitation program.

The electric HeartMate® LVAS utilizes a similar internal blood pump but is connected to a beeper-sized external controller that can be clipped to a belt. The controller is then connected to two battery packs that are supported by a concealable shoulder holster. This allows maximum mobility and, in some cases, patients can continue their recovery at home while awaiting a new heart.

What is the Thoratec system?
The Thoratec pump is designed to provide support as a bridge to transplant or as a bridge to recovery. It is an air driven pump that can support the left heart (LVAD), the right heart (RVAD) or both pumping chambers of the heart (BIVAD). It has tubes that connect the heart and major blood vessels to an external blood pump. The blood pump lies outside the body and is connected to a large console. The console provides power as well as readouts for monitoring the function of the pump.

Are there other differences I should know about?
Because the HeartMate pump implanted in the abdomen, it requires a certain body size to allow for enough space to accommodate the pump. It does not require blood thinners since it has a unique textured internal surface that reduces clot formation and porcine (pig) valves that provide unidirectional blood flow.

Since the Thoratec pump lies outside the body, it can provide support to a wider range of body sizes. Also, because the Thoratec pump has mechanical valves, blood thinners are required to avoid clot formation.

What is the University of Pennsylvania’s experience with this device?
As of October of 1997, over 80 people have been supported with HeartMate pumps. Over 30 people have been supported with the Thoratec VAD. About 25% of patients transplanted each year would not have survived if they had not had VAD support. Of the HeartMate supported patients, twenty met our criteria for home support and waited for their new heart at home. We recently transplanted a patient who had been supported for 366 days, the majority at home.

Are their other sources of information?
If you have internet access, you can visit the manufacturer’s web sites. Thoratec is www.thoratec.com and Abiomed is www.abiomed.com. Your surgeon and cardiologist are important sources of information on your progress. Other sources are your primary nurse, the transplant coordinators, VAD coordinators and the team caring for you in the ICU and CICU.