All articles tagged with #lvad
Social media rumors suggesting Donald Trump was wearing a ventricular assist device (LVAD) are highly unlikely, as such a device requires open-heart surgery and a lengthy recovery, which contradicts his recent public appearances and health reports. The visible lumps and shapes under his clothing are more likely to be clothing padding, wires, or fabric creases, with no confirmed evidence of an LVAD.
The FDA has announced the voluntary recall of nearly 14,000 HeartMate II and HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAS/LVAD) heart pumps produced by Abbott Laboratories' Thoratec Corp. due to an issue called Extrinsic Outflow Graft Obstruction, which can lead to serious injuries or death. The devices work by assisting the heart's pumping function, but biological material buildup can obstruct the device over time, affecting its effectiveness. There have been 273 reported injuries and 14 deaths associated with this issue, and while the devices remain on the market, Abbott has communicated with customers about the potential problem and provided recommendations for early detection and treatment.
A randomized trial called ARIES-HM3 found that avoiding aspirin as part of an antithrombotic regimen, which includes a vitamin K antagonist, in patients with advanced heart failure supported by a fully magnetically levitated left ventricular assist device (LVAD) resulted in a significant decrease (34%) in major nonsurgical bleeding events without a significant increase in thromboembolic risk. The benefits of avoiding aspirin were consistent among patients with prior vascular disease and other risk factors associated with increased thrombosis risk. This study suggests that aspirin is not necessary for maintaining outcomes with a fully magnetically levitated LVAD and excluding it from the antithrombotic therapy can reduce bleeding events.
Sofia Hart, a 30-year-old woman from Massachusetts, is living with irreversible dilated cardiomyopathy, a rare genetic heart condition that has left her without a pulse. She relies on a life-saving medical device called the LVAD to keep her heart beating while she awaits a heart transplant. Sofia's twin sister also had the same condition and received a heart transplant in 2016. Sofia is now undergoing the work-up for a transplant and is ready to proceed after learning more about life with the LVAD.
Sofia Hart, a 30-year-old woman from Massachusetts, is living with irreversible dilated cardiomyopathy, a rare genetic heart condition. She relies on a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to keep her heart pumping while she waits for a heart transplant. The LVAD, which she refers to as running on batteries, helps circulate blood mechanically. Sofia's twin sister also had the same condition and received a heart transplant in 2016. Sofia is connected to a wall outlet at home and carries spare batteries when she goes out.