ventricular assist device
Pronunciation: vad
Also written as: VAD — ventricular assist device
Mechanical pump implanted to support heart function in patients with advanced heart failure.
Full Definition
A ventricular assist device (VAD) is a mechanical circulatory support device that helps pump blood from the heart's ventricles to the rest of the body in patients with severe heart failure. VADs can provide left ventricular support (LVAD), right ventricular support (RVAD), or biventricular support (BiVAD) and may be used as bridge-to-transplantation, bridge-to-recovery, or destination therapy. In cardiovascular research, VAD studies focus on device performance, patient outcomes, quality of life, and complications such as bleeding, infection, and thromboembolism. Modern devices are typically continuous-flow pumps rather than pulsatile devices.
Usage
Usage note: Specify the type of VAD (LVAD, RVAD, BiVAD) and indicate whether it's bridge therapy or destination therapy.
In Context
- "Patients with ventricular assist devices showed improved functional capacity and quality of life scores." — Clinical outcomes
- "The study excluded patients who had undergone ventricular assist device implantation within the previous 6 months." — Exclusion criteria