Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are mechanical pumps that help the heart's ventricles pump blood to the body. They are used in patients with advanced heart failure to help the heart work more efficiently or take over the work of a weakened heart. Some VADs help the left side of the heart pump blood to the body and are called left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Others help both sides of the heart and are called bi-ventricular assist devices (BiVADs). These devices are implanted by ... Read more
