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News items:

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.

For wearers of the HVAD from Metronic (formerly Hearware), it is good to know what you are doing can do and what you absolutely not allowed to do in the event of an alarm. Good preparation and reading can help neutralize panic as much as possible.

The HVAD from Medtronic (formerly HeartWare) will be withdrawn from the market as of June 1, 2021. From this date onwards, this pump may no longer be implanted. In this message you can read what the reason is.

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 Why this LVAD has been withdrawn from the market, can be read here.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