If you have heart failure and are not responding to standard therapy, your doctor may recommend advanced treatment options such as heart transplant or a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
An Accredited LVAD Program in Western Massachusetts
Baystate Health’s LVAD program has been accredited by The Joint Commission since 2016. This accreditation shows our commitment to delivering high-quality care. Our LVAD team is made up of specialists from various disciplines who work together to ensure the best possible results for you.
An LVAD is a mechanical pump that’s surgically implanted inside your chest to help your heart do its job. The device is placed in your heart’s left ventricular and pumps blood from the weakened left side of your heart to the rest of your body. When the pump is implanted, it’s connected to a controller outside of your body. An LVAD needs to be connected to a power source at all times, whether that means being plugged into an outlet or using its battery pack.
LVADs may be used as “destination therapy,” meaning they are considered long-term treatment for heart failure. Or they may be considered “bridge-to-transplant therapy,” meaning they are placed temporarily until heart transplant becomes an option.
If you have questions about LVADs, call 413-794-8452. To speak with a Baystate heart failure specialist, please call 413-794-CARE (2273).