Download A Patient`s Guide to the Ventricular Assist Device

A PAtient ’ s
G uide
to the
A ssist
V entriculAr
d eVice
Welcome to st. Peter’s hospital
Advanced heart disease center
As part of our goal in the Advanced Heart Disease Program, the
St. Peter’s team provides you with the most advanced and latest
treatment options for heart disease, close to home.
Our team of experienced surgical professionals is dedicated to
providing the highest-quality inpatient and outpatient care with
the support you need to maintain the best quality of life possible.
We’ve designed this booklet to provide general background
information about ventricular assist devices (VAD) to help you in
your decision-making about your health.
A ventricular assist device is a mechanical heart pump that can be
implanted in the chest or worn outside the body. VADs can also
be called a ventricular assist system (VAS), heart pump, or left
ventricular assist device (LVAD).
If it has been determined by your medical team that you could
benefit from a VAD, we encourage you to carefully read the
information in this booklet and to discuss your decision with
your family.
Any time additional questions arise, please feel free to speak to a
member of your St. Peter’s Advanced Heart Disease team.
We look forward to partnering with you in your care. Thank you
for trusting St. Peter’s for your health care.
Sincerely,
niloo edwards, M.d.
Chief of Cardiac and Vascular Services
St. Peter’s Hospital
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table of contents
heart Failure: What is it?
Causes of Heart Failure
Treatment Options for Advanced Heart Disease
Informed Decision-Making
1
1
1
2
Ventricular Assist devices
How VADs are Commonly Used
Types of VADs Offered at St. Peter’s Hospital
Evaluation
The VAD Team at St. Peter’s
3
3
3
4
5
the VAd surgical Procedure
Prior to Your Surgery
Evening Before Surgery
Day of Surgery
Operating Room
Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU)
Explanation of Tubes and Lines
Pain Management
Progressive Care Unit
Risk Factors of Surgery
Long-Term Care Expectations
Establishing Your “VAD Support Group”
6
6
6
6
6
7
7
8
8
9
9
9
living with a Ventricular Assist device
Continuing Care After Discharge
Anticoagulation (Blood Thinners)
10
10
10
Visit st. Peter’s hospital Advanced heart disease center 11
Directions to St. Peter’s Hospital
11
Getting Around st. Peter’s hospital campus
Map
Helpful Phone Numbers
12
12
13
lodging options for Patients & Families
13
Additional resources
14
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heart Failure (hF): What is it?
heart failure means your heart muscle has weakened and cannot
pump blood efficiently throughout your body. this causes: fluid to
pool in your legs, feet and ankles; your kidneys to retain excess
water and sodium; and fluid to back up into your lungs, leading to
shortness of breath. this buildup of fluid is called heart failure.
Heart failure can involve the left side,
the right side, or both sides of your
heart. Heart failure begins with the left
side – specifically, the left ventricle,
which is your heart’s main pumping
chamber. Your physician may refer to
your condition as “left-sided” or “left
ventricular” heart failure.
eating foods high in cholesterol and
fat, and not exercising) also cause or
contribute to heart failure. These
underlying heart conditions typically
develop slowly over many years. That is
why it is important to control the risk
factors that can lead to heart failure.
Right-sided heart failure can occur
independently, or it can be a consequence of left ventricular heart failure.
Some five million Americans suffer from
heart failure, a condition caused by a
weakened heart that cannot pump
enough blood to meet the needs of the
body.
treatment options for
Advanced heart disease
Symptoms include shortness of breath,
fatigue, swelling or fluid build-up in
your ankles, feet, legs and abdomen.
Heart failure is a serious illness that
can affect how long you live and your
quality of life. It sends more than three
million people to the hospital each year.
With treatment and lifestyle changes,
heart failure can be a very manageable
condition.
causes of heart Failure
Heart failure often results from the
damage of a heart attack, high blood
pressure, or other forms of heart disease including valve disorders. All of the
behaviors that you probably associate
with a heart attack or heart disease
(such as smoking, being overweight,
There are several treatment options for
patients with advanced heart disease.
The most appropriate treatment for
each patient is based on the severity
of symptoms, the causes and the
condition of the other organs.
optimum Medical Management
Heart failure management is a team
effort that includes you, your family,
heart failure physicians and surgeons,
and the rest of the
advanced heart
disease team which
includes advanced
practice clinicians,
nurses, dietitians,
pharmacists, and
social workers. You
will be prescribed
medications and
treatments to
manage your heart
failure and other
medical problems.
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Medications play a key role in the treatment of heart failure. Medications alone
can result in an excellent quality of life
and improved survival.
heart transplant
A heart transplant is a procedure in
which a surgeon removes a diseased
heart and replaces it with a donor
heart. During a heart transplant, a
mechanical pump circulates blood
through the body while the surgeon
removes the diseased heart and
replaces it with a healthy heart from a
recently deceased donor.
The surgeon connects the donor heart
to the major blood vessels. The procedure takes several hours. To prevent
the body from rejecting the donor
heart, your medical team will give you
powerful drugs (immunosuppressants)
immediately after surgery, and you
must continue to take them.
Pacemakers and defibrillators
Sometimes pacing the heart can help
improve both symptoms and function.
This is sometimes known as biventricular pacing or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Unfortunately
some patients with HF are prone to lifethreatening abnormal heart rhythm; in
these patients, an implantable cardiac
defibrillator (ICD) can be placed to
shock the patient back into a normal
rhythm if necessary.
reparative heart surgery
If the congestive heart failure is caused
by a problem that can be fixed and the
heart damage is not too bad, it can be
repaired. This is why early reporting of
symptoms and diagnosis is important.
For example: if the heart failure is
caused by blockages to the arteries that
bring blood to the heart (Coronary
Artery Disease) it may be possible to
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bypass or stent these arteries to
increase the blood supply and improve
the function of the heart. However,
it is also important to note that repair
is only possible if other organs are
functioning adequately.
VAd surgery
Ventricular assist devices have broadened the treatment options we can
offer patients with congestive heart
failure. VADs provide patients with:
Support until a transplant is
available,
• Support until the patient’s heart
recovers,
• An alternative to heart
transplantation.
•
Ventricular assist devices can improve
the quality of life and survival for a
patient. They can also significantly
reduce time spent in the hospital.
informed decision-Making
Our goal is for you and your family to
make the best decision for your health,
quality of life and lifestyle. We commit
to making every effort to educate you
and your family about advanced heart
disease, treatment options, the surgery,
and long-term care following the
device implantation. This guide covers
items that you, your family and caregiver need to be aware of prior to
signing consent for the surgery.
Ventricular Assist devices
A ventricular assist device (VAd) is a surgically implanted device
for people who have a weakened heart that needs help pumping
blood. if your heart is too weak to pump sufficient blood, the VAd
takes over much of the work. this allows the heart to rest and
sometimes recover, while the pump helps supply the body with
needed oxygen and vital nutrients. these devices do not replace
your heart — they help the heart.
how VAds Are
commonly used
Bridge to transplant
A ventricular assist device (VAD) may
be implanted to temporarily support a
heart failure patient while waiting for
a heart transplant. As a “bridge to
transplant,” a VAD can maintain normal
blood circulation and reduce the
chances of damage to your other
organs while waiting for a donor heart
to become available. The ventricular
assist device is removed when your
new heart is implanted.
destination therapy
If you are a heart failure patient who is
not eligible for a heart transplant due to
advanced age, smoking, cancer, or
other health reasons, a VAD can be
used as “destination therapy” for longterm support, instead of a heart transplant. Destination therapy can improve
your quality of life and allow you to
resume many regular activities in your
normal surroundings.
Bridge to recovery
If a patient’s heart failure is temporary,
a VAD can be implanted for a few
weeks or months to assist the heart
during its recovery period. For example,
if you are recovering from heart
surgery, you may have a VAD implanted
until your heart is strong enough to
pump blood efficiently on its own, or as
a “bridge to recovery.”
types of VAds offered at
st. Peter’s hospital
short-term/emergent care
Impella®
Thoratec CentriMag®
For people who develop sudden heart
failure or acute cardiogenic shock, these
VADs can be used to restore circulation
to prevent damage to vital organs,
like the brain, kidneys and liver.
These devices may be placed during an
emergency surgery or procedure. They
also can be used to support a patient
during high-risk open heart surgery.
After this type of device is inserted into
a person, they will be assessed to
determine if the heart is getting better
or if transplant evaluation or placement
of a long-term device is necessary.
If it is determined that the patient is
a potential candidate for a heart transplant, the patient will be transferred
to a transplant center when they are
stable.
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long-term care
evaluation
thoratec heartMate ii®
left Ventricular Assist device
Patients being evaluated for a planned
VAD implant will be seen by a large
group of healthcare professionals and
undergo testing prior to the surgery.
Your evaluation will be reviewed by the
St. Peter’s Advanced Heart Disease
team which includes surgeons, cardiologists, nurses, social workers and
others. All of this will help provide the
best possible outcome.
The HeartMate II® LVAD (made by
Thoratec® Corporation) is currently
approved to be used as Bridge to
Transpant and as Destination Therapy.
LVADs can support a patient for years
without symptoms of heart failure.
The tests may include:
• Echocardiogram
• Pulmonary Function Tests
(breathing tests)
• Heart Catheterization
• CT Scans
• Blood Tests
• Ultrasounds
• EKG
Tests will be administered over the
course of your care, as needed.
This device requires patients to have a
wire or driveline exiting their body
through the skin; this is connected to a
controller unit and batteries that power
the pump. These batteries can last up
to 10 hours. With this device, you will
be able to be discharged from the
hospital to home, rehabilitation or
assisted living. Patients with an
implanted pump are restricted from
some activities, including vacuuming,
dusting, and swimming. People can
shower with a water-resistant bag that
holds the controller and batteries to
keep them from getting wet. All
patients who are home with this device
require a designated care companion
with them, and will not be able to drive.
Care companions will have to be
trained on this device.
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of programs to address the special
needs of elderly cardiac patients.
the VAd team at st. Peter’s
The healthcare professionals involved in
your care include:
• Cardiologist
• Heart Surgeon
• Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse
• Chaplain
• Case Manager
• Social Worker
• Psychologist
• Financial Counselor
The team at St. Peter’s is led by
Dr. Niloo Edwards. Dr. Edwards has
extensive experience in the treatment
of patients with advanced heart failure
and is an authority in the development
Board-certified in surgery and thoracic
surgery, Dr. Edwards specializes in the
surgical treatment of end-stage heart
disease including transplantation,
coronary artery bypass surgery, heart
valve repair and replacement, minimally
invasive heart surgery, open heart
surgery for the geriatric patient,
implantation of ventricular assist
devices, mitral valve repair, and aortic
surgery.
A national leader
St. Peter’s Cardiac & Vascular Center
has been consistently recognized by
independent healthcare quality
researchers as one of the best cardiac
programs in New York state and in the
nation. St. Peter’s is the only hospital in
New York state and the northeastern
United States to have been designated
as a Top 100 Cardiovascular Hospital for
10 years, and one of only five hospitals
nationwide to receive the distinction 10
or more years. Named a Blue
Distinction Center for Cardiac Care, St.
Peter’s continues to set the pace for
health care innovations.
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the VAd surgical Procedure
A surgical procedure is done to place the VAd in your chest,
below your heart, and attach it to your aorta (a large blood vessel
which carries blood from your heart to the rest of your body).
the procedure to implant a ventricular assist device (VAd)
generally takes approximately four to six hours. General anesthesia is required during this operation.
Prior to Your surgery
day of surgery
You (and your family members as
well as those individuals who will be
actively involved in your care) are
required to attend the Cardiac Surgery
Pre-operative Teaching class. This
class is informational and provides
an overview of cardiac surgery at
St. Peter’s Hospital. The class is held
weekly and is offered at no charge.
Check-in at the registration area for
Cardiology, Cardiac, and Vascular
Services (this registers you into our
patient registration system). The
registration area for these services
is located on the first floor of the
hospital.
• Once registered, you and your
family members will then proceed
to the Egan Family Waiting Lounge.
• You will then be taken to the
Cardiac Pre-Operative Unit on the
first floor of the Patient Pavilion.
• In the Pre-Operative Unit, your
body hair will be clipped and you
will shower with special soap and
change into a hospital gown. You
will also meet with your cardiac
surgeon, as well as clinicians from
perfusion, anesthesia and the
operating room nurses. Consent
forms will be reviewed.
•
evening Before surgery
Arrival Time:
o Hospital staff will call you the
night before surgery to tell you
what time to come to the
hospital.
• Skin Preparation:
o You will need to shower with the
special soap provided – directions
will be provided in Pre-Admission
Testing.
• Eating and Drinking:
o After midnight, do not eat or
drink anything. An empty stomach
is necessary before surgery.
o The doctor or nurse practitioner
will tell you what medications to
take with a sip of water.
• Sleep:
o Attempt to get a good night’s
sleep.
•
operating room
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An IV Line will be inserted and a
mild sedative will be given.
• Similar to an IV line, an A-Line
(Arterial Line) will be placed in your
wrist or arm to monitor your blood
pressure.
• A catheter will be inserted into your
bladder to drain urine (after you
are asleep).
•
•
A special IV will be placed in your
neck to monitor pressure inside
your heart. (This is called a SwanGanz Catheter.)
While in the operating room, your
family can wait in the Egan Family
Waiting Lounge. They will receive
periodic updates about your progress
from the nurse navigator.
cardiovascular intensive
care unit (cVicu)
Immediately after the surgery,
you will be moved to the CVICU,
located on the first floor of the
hospital pavilion.
• A specially-trained ICU nurse will
care for you at this time.
• After a nurse has settled you in,
your family will be able to visit
you on this unit (approximately
1½ hours after your arrival).
• Length of stay in the CVICU will
depend on your body and healing
process. The average stay is two to
four days.
• As you improve you will be transferred to the Progressive Care Unit
(also on first floor of the pavilion).
You will remain here until
discharged from the hospital.
•
•
Teaching and learning how to care
for the device will begin in the
CVICU and continue in Progressive
Care.
explanation of tubes
and lines
endotracheal tube & Mechanical
Ventilator
The endotracheal tube passes through
your mouth, into your windpipe. This is
attached to a ventilator which breathes
for you while you are asleep. This
remains in place until your team feels
that you are ready to have it removed.
(The average time is one to three days.)
As you wake up, the machine will make
a lot of noise. You will not be able to
talk while this is in place. You will be
asked to cough and breathe deeply
once it is removed. You will be asked to
use a breathing machine called an
incentive spirometer. It is important to
do this 10 times every hour. This helps
prevent you from getting pneumonia.
heart Monitor
Five stickers with wires will be placed
your chest. These wires are attached to
the monitor behind you. This is used by
your team to monitor your heart
rhythm. When you move, the monitor
will create noise. You and your family
should not be nervous if something
beeps. Your team is monitoring you
both in your room and at the desk
outside of your room.
chest tubes
There will be drainage tubes coming
out of your body, and these will be
attached to a box on the floor. These
are placed to drain excess fluid from
the area around your heart. This is
monitored to make sure you are not
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bleeding. These tubes will be removed
once it is determined by your team that
they are no longer needed.
intravenous lines (iV)
These provide a way for your team to
give you fluids, blood, medications,
and antibiotics. They will remain in
place until it is determined you do not
need them.
level. It is important to take pain
medication if needed as it can help the
healing process. With your pain level
appropriately managed, you will be
better able to take deep breaths and
cough – which is essential to your rapid
recovery.
Progressive care unit
Once transferred to Progressive
Care, the focus of your care will be
on getting you home.
• Walking and moving soon after
surgery is essential to a rapid recovery.
An exercise physiotherapist will be
helping you meet this goal.
• A heart monitor will still be
attached to your chest, which is
called telemetry.
• VAD education is required for
discharge. The team will help you
meet this goal. Before you can
leave, both you and your designated caregiver need to demonstrate
that you can take care of the VAD
and the dressing changes.
• Most patients leave the hospital
within two to four weeks after their
VAD implantation surgery. They can
return to their job within one to
three months, depending on the
nature of their work.
•
Bladder catheter
This is a tube inserted into your bladder
to drain urine from your body. It too
will be removed when it is no longer
needed (approximately two to four
days after your procedure).
swan-Ganz catheter
This measures pressure inside your
heart and lungs at different areas. This
will be removed before you go to the
Progressive Care Unit.
Pain Management
You will experience some pain from
the incisions made to the chest. Pain
medication will be administered as
needed either in your IV line or by
mouth if you are able to swallow.
Please let the nurses know if you are
in pain, and be honest about your pain
When you are discharged from the
hospital to go home with a device in
place, you will need:
To be trained on the device and
proper driveline care;
• To pass a short, written and handson skills test;
• To have family members and friends
to be trained on the device, if they
will be alone with you. (This is set
up and planned with your VAD
Coordinator.)
•
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risk Factors of surgery
Infection
• Excessive bleeding, which may need
reoperation
• Thromboembolism (blood clots that
form and can travel to other parts
of the body), which could result in a
stroke or loss of a limb or organs
and could require surgery
• Mechanical failure (the pump or
one of the parts may stop working)
or malfunction
• Neurological dysfunction or stroke
(brain or nerve damage resulting in
difficulty or inability to wake up or
difficulty moving parts of the body)
• Hemolysis (the destruction of blood
cells)
• Pulmonary dysfunction (the lungs
fail to oxygenate the body)
• Kidney failure
• Liver dysfunction (the liver fails to
filter blood)
• Death
•
long-term care expectations
Companion/caregiver support
(education and training for VAD for
you and your companion/caregiver
required)
• Maintain electrical power with
grounded outlets
• Ongoing costs related to care may
not be covered by insurance;
However, there are options your
team will discuss with you
• Competent driveline site care (the
patient and caregiver will have to
demonstrate proper care of the site
prior to discharge to ensure safe
care and prevention of infection)
o Driveline infections may require
long-term antibiotic therapy and
are the most significant issue
with the VAD if not cared for
properly
•
Blood thinners require periodic
blood tests to check levels
• Follow-up clinic visits as scheduled,
and maintenance checks of
equipment
• It is necessary for you to have
someone who can drive you to
your medical appointments
because you will be advised not to
drive
•
establishing Your “VAd
support Group”
The staff will train you on how to use
your VAD. We will also ask that you
establish your “VAD Support Group.”
This group will consist of four to five
family members and friends who will
become trained on the device. Training
can be done during a routine visit or
can take place during formal sessions
with a VAD Coordinator usually for
two, four-hour sessions.
While on battery, you are able to do
normal daily activities such as shopping,
traveling, attending events, etc. During
sleeping hours, attach the device to
AC power.
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living with a Ventricular
Assist device
VAds need battery power or Ac power to keep the pump running.
the VAd has 48 hours of battery power and batteries last 10 to 12
hours. there is also a stationary power base unit (PBu) for the device.
continuing care after
discharge
Follow-up appointments are necessary
for your team at St. Peter’s to see you
and to evaluate your equipment. Your
follow-up appointments will be scheduled on a frequent basis, soon after you
are discharged from the hospital. You
also will have 24-hour access to a
healthcare provider within your team at
St. Peter’s Hospital for questions and
emergencies.
At home:
Frequent blood tests are needed
(one to two times per week)
• Once the level is regulated, these
tests will be once every two to four
weeks
• Dosage of warfarin may change due
to how thin or thick your blood is;
This will be determined by blood
test results
•
When to call:
Local EMS and fire departments will be
educated on the VAD and how to
respond to potential emergencies
that could happen. Your primary care
physician and cardiologists will be
encouraged to receive education and/or
training on the VAD.
Anticoagulation (Blood
thinners)
You will have to be on blood thinners
while this device is in place. These
blood thinners make your blood less
likely to form a clot.
While in the hospital:
You will receive an IV form of these
blood thinners, called heparin
• Once you are taking medications by
mouth, a pill form (warfarin) will
be started
•
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If you experience, any unusual
bleeding (Could be from any place
on your body)
• If you experience black, tar-like
stools
•
directions to st. Peter’s
Visit st. Peter’s
hospital Advanced
heart disease
center
From the North: Follow the northway
(I-87) south to Western Ave. (Rt. 20).
Turn left onto Western Ave. and follow
it approximately 2.8 miles to S. Manning
Blvd. Turn right on S. Manning Blvd. and
follow it approximately one mile to the
St. Peter’s entrance on the left.
in the immediate discharge period,
patients will follow up with the
clinicians in the st. Peter’s Advanced
heart disease center located in suite
110B, 319 s. Manning Blvd. in Albany,
on the st. Peter’s hospital campus.
Follow-up visits will occur every one
to two weeks. once the patient and
provider are comfortable with the
patient’s progress, these appointments
will be scheduled for every one to two
months.
Contact Us
St. Peter’s Hospital
Advanced Heart Disease Center
(518) 525-5037
Niloo Edwards, MD
(518) 525-2525
John D. Filippone, MD
(518) 458-2000
Jeffrey Uzzilia, MD
Lance Sullenberger, MD
(518) 292-6000
Mary Ann Rifenberick, ACNP
(VAD Coordinator)
(518) 525-5655
Cathleen Daley, RN
(Advanced Heart Disease Nurse)
(518) 525-8539
From the South: Follow the NYS
Thruway (I-87) north to exit 24. Take
the far-right exit to Western Ave.
(Rt. 20). Turn left onto Western Ave.
and follow it approximately 2.8 miles
to S. Manning Blvd. Turn right on
S. Manning Blvd. and follow it approximately one mile to the St. Peter’s
entrance on the left.
From the East: Follow I-90 west to
exit 4 (Rt. 85 Slingerlands). Follow Rt. 85
approximately 2 miles to the Krumkill
Rd. exit. Turn left at the top of the
ramp. Turn right at the immediate light
onto Bender St./Krumkill Rd. and follow
it to the next light. Turn left at the light
onto New Scotland Ave. for approximately one mile. Turn right onto
S. Manning Blvd. St. Peter’s entrance
will be on the left.
From the West: Follow the NYS
Thruway (I-90) east to exit 24. Take the
far-right exit to Western Ave. (Rt. 20).
Turn left onto Western Ave. and follow
it approximately 2.8 miles to S. Manning
Blvd. Turn right on S. Manning Blvd. and
follow it approximately one mile to the
St. Peter’s entrance on the left.
interactive Map
St. Peter’s has an interactive map
on its website. Please visit:
http://www.sphcs.org/MapsDirections
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Getting Around st. Peter’s
hospital campus
*
*
Main Entrance – The Main Entrance
is located on the ground floor of the
hospital. The Main Entrance features a
host of services including the valet
parking station, the Concierge Desk and
the Jazzman’s Café with ample seating
in the Massry Family Atrium. The
hospital’s new Chapel is located here
providing a quiet and peaceful space
for patients and visitors.
Parking & Valet Service –
Complimentary parking is available only
to the person transporting you on the
days of your admission and discharge.
Hospital patients and visitors may use
St. Peter’s Hospital Advanced Heart Disease Center
valet parking at the Main Entrance
without any extra charge during
business hours on weekdays. You will
be charged the normal daily parking
fee, however.
For our visitors, parking is available in
our main parking garage. In addition
to a daily parking fee, discount weekly,
bi-weekly and bi-monthly parking
permits are available to patients’
families and friends. You can buy a
permit at the Protective Services Office
on the Hospital’s first floor near the
cafeteria. The phone number for
Protective Services is 525-1225.
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Cardiovascular Surgery – All of these
services are located on the first floor of
the hospital pavilion. The waiting area
(known as the Egan Family Waiting
Lounge) is located just off of “Main
Street” at the hospital.
“Main Street” on the First Floor –
In addition to the cardiovascular
surgery department, the hospital’s
“Main Street” features many amenities
including the food court, ATMs and
an expanded gift shop.
helpful Phone numbers
The following phone numbers may be
helpful for you and your loved ones.
Main Number
(518) 525-1550
Emergency Department
(518) 525-1315
Mercy Me Gift Shop
(518) 525-1649
Patient Information
(518) 525-1571
Patient Relations
(518) 525-1192
Protective Services (Security)
(518) 525-1522
Spiritual Care
(518) 525-1602
lodging options
for Patients &
Families
Becky’s house: A home Away
from home
Becky’s House was established as a
home-away-from-home for those
families who must travel a distance.
Becky’s House is available on a first
come, first served basis. Becky’s House
provides six bedrooms and shared
bathroom facilities for the use of
patients and families. In addition,
Becky’s House offers the use of
kitchen and laundry facilities and
local telephone services.
We are dedicated to making every
effort to accommodate families and
patients with special needs. Parking
can be arranged for guests across the
street from Becky’s House. Becky’s
House is located at 296 Hackett Blvd.,
Albany. St. Peter’s staff or a family
member may call (518) 438-1212 to
inquire about room availability and
registration.
hotels in the capital region
There are a number of lodging options
in the Capital Region. The following
website offers several options in the
area: www.albany.com
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Additional resources
information on the internet
The following websites provide
information on ventricular assist
devices which you may find helpful.
http://www.sphcs.org/VADs
http://www.thoratec.com
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/
Conditions/HeartFailure/
Heart-Failure_UCM_002019_
SubHomePage.jsp
http://www.hearthope.com/
http://www.mylvad.com
14 s t . P eter ’ s h osPitAl A dVAnced h eArt d iseAse c enter
315 South Manning Boulevard / Albany, New York 12208 / 1-800-HEART-76 • 1-800-432-7876
www.sphcs.org
08/2012