Click on the pictures for more information
News items:
June 23, 2026 Earlier this month, a patient with advanced heart failure at UMC Utrecht became the first in Europe to receive a BrioVAD ventricular assist device. The new system is being investigated in a European study and may potentially offer advantages over the existing ventricular assist device.
2024 – … The Holland Hybrid Heart project is creating a special new artificial heart. This heart uses soft robotics and cells from the patient themselves to allow patients with heart failure to live better, without needing a donor heart.
February 5, 2024: the special story of Loulou Blom who, thanks to a supportive heart, can wait for a donor heart. Although this is not an LVAD, which is still too big for a child's heart, it is a mobile device with which Loulou can go home!
January 26, 2024: Betavolt, a battery that lasts 50 years without charging!
That sounds like music to the ears for LVAD wearers, this is a breakthrough to smaller (and perhaps even implantable?) equipment.
What is an LVAD
What exactly is mechanical support for the heart? It is called Support Heart, LVAD, and sometimes even artificial heart (although the latter name is factually incorrect). Click on the photo for more information.
Implantation of an LVAD
This explains what to expect with an implantation of an LVAD. How does an average operation proceed and what can you expect from the duration of the recovery period.
Living with an LVAD
When the operation is over and you are ready to go home, what will your life be like? Find out what the options are here.
Donor registration
An LVAD is often placed to bridge the time to a heart transplant. Now choose whether or not you want to be a donor. This choice is important for your loved ones so that they know what your wish is in this regard.
HeartMate II and 3
The HeartMate II is the first support heart that was installed in the Netherlands. It has now been succeeded by the HeartMate 3. The difference between these two types, originally developed by Thoratec (now ABBOTT), can be read here.
HVAD
The HVAD (HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device) was implanted in the Netherlands from 2010 to June 2021. Why this LVAD has been withdrawn from the market, can be read here. Click on the image for more information about (the operation of) the HVAD.
What to do with ALARM
The LVAD is protected with different types of alarm. The alarms when the batteries are empty are intended as a reminder and will no longer give a startle response over time. The controller indicates what is going on and can be acted upon. What to do in the event of an alarm that does not occur often is described here. This page was made in consultation with one of the hospitals.
Heart failure
People with severe heart failure may qualify for an LVAD. Before this decision is made, a number of tests are performed to see if the heart is suitable and no further complications are to be expected. What heart failure actually is and which stages you have in it can be read further here.
Click on a Logo below for LVAD information on that site
HDZ, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany, is the largest (L)VAD hospital in Europe.
UZ Leuven is the (L)VAD hospital in Belgium
