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25571 St PetersVAD Brochure_brochure 9/24/12 8:52 AM Page 1
ST. PETER’S HOSPITAL
ADVANCED HEART DISEASE CENTER
Long-Term Care
Thoratec HeartMate II® Left Ventricular Assist Device
The HeartMate II® LVAD (made by Thoratec®
Corporation) is currently approved to be used as Bridge
to Transplant and as Destination Therapy. LVADs can
support a patient for years without symptoms of heart
failure. LVADs support the left side of the heart only.
THE ROLE Of VENTRICuLAR
ASSIST DEVICES WITH ADVANCED
HEART DISEASE
The VAD Team At
St. Peter’s
The VAD 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 (Hf)
and is an authority in the development of programs to
address the special needs of elderly cardiac patients.
Board-certified in surgery and thoracic surgery,
Dr. Edwards specializes in the surgical treatment of
end-stage heart disease.
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.
Named a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care,
St. Peter’s continues to set the pace for health care
innovations.
Contact Us
for more information about VADs or VAD surgery,
contact St. Peter’s Hospital Advanced Heart Disease
Center at (518) 525-5037. You may also contact
St. Peter’s Chief of Cardiac and Vascular services,
Niloo Edwards, M.D. at. (518) 525-2525.
ST. PETER’S HOSPITAL
ADVANCED HEART DISEASE CENTER
319 South Manning Boulevard Suite 110B
Albany, New York 12208
518-525-5037
sphp.com
25571 St PetersVAD Brochure_brochure 9/24/12 8:52 AM Page 2
The purpose of this brochure is to provide you
with a general overview of the Ventricular
Assist Device (VAD). Additional information
about the VAD is available on St. Peter’s
website at www.sphp.org. It is important to
talk with your health care provider regarding
any questions you may have about your
treatment.
Treatment Options for
Advanced Heart Disease
There are several treatment options for patients with
advanced heart disease, such as heart failure. The most
appropriate treatment for each patient is based on the
severity of symptoms, the causes, and the condition of
the other organs. Ventricular assist devices, or VADs,
have broadened the treatment options we can offer
patients with advanced heart disease, by providing
patients with one or more of the following:
• 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.
What is a Ventricular
Assist Device (VAD)?
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.
Other benefits for the patient implanted with a VAD:
• Implanted devices are battery powered for ease
of mobility
• Shorter hospital stay
• Return to a fairly normal life with the exception of
contact sports and swimming
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 long-term 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.” The VAD is placed to support the patient
until transplant, recovery, or destination therapy is
initiated.
• Many return to work
• Less frequent heart failure admissions to the hospital
How VADs Are
Commonly Used
Bridge to Transplant
A 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 VAD is
removed when your new heart is
implanted.
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.