Mechanical Heart revolutionizing the treatment for end-stage heart failures

2024-04-19 11:18:41 Health and Fitness

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Advancements in the field of cardiac sciences has been a boon to patients with end stage heart problem. The good news is that LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) is the boon for all those who are in waiting list for heart transplant.

With advancement in science and technology, mechanical heart remains to be a big asset for surgeons and patients with heart failure. And creating awareness among the masses about the advancements can save many lives

Usually heart diseases go undetected in early age leading to worsening of heart functioning and finally causing heart failure. Many patients who get multiple heart attacks and patients of dilated cardiomyopathy develop advanced heart failure. The only treatment to save life of these patients is heart transplantation. Many patients remain on waiting list of transplant due to non availability of donor heart.

?Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) is a mechanical pump implanted in patients awaiting heart transplant due to end-stage heart failure. The device is a battery operated mechanical pump that helps the main pumping chamber of the heart (Left ventricle) to pump blood to the complete body. The disease burden of cardiovascular disorders is rapidly increasing across the country because of stress, poor lifestyle, and consumption of junk food, alcohol and smoking. The suffering of patients with heart failure can?t be told but their symptoms which we must be aware of, like breathlessness on mild exertion, swelling of both legs, palpitation, night sweat, sleep disturbance, appetite loss and other heart ailments which made your heart weak.? Said Dr Ripen Gupta, Director & Unit Head ? Cardiology, Max Smart Hospital, Saket

In such cases the only treatment option is to undergo heart transplant, where 70% of them die waiting for heart donor. LVAD is a boon for such patients and has saved many lives.

LVAD is designed to improve survival and quality of life of patients with end-stage heart failure. Today?s LVADs are lightweight and smaller than earlier models, so you?ll most likely be able to move around fairly easily

The myth that heart ailments and heart failure only affect the geriatric population and are limited to metro cities is gradually falling apart. Doctors have recorded a rise in the number of patients suffering from varied cardiac related conditions such as congenital defects, valve problems, and blockages of arteries of the heart, lifestyle disorders and viral infections in Tier I & II cities. These afflictions affect the functioning of heart in the young, middle aged and elderly population alike.

?An LVAD is different from an artificial heart. An artificial heart replaces the failing heart completely whereas an LVAD works with the heart to help it pump more blood with less work. It does this by continuously taking blood from the left ventricle and moving it to the aorta, which then delivers oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.

Once your LVAD is implanted, you will be connected to the LVAD external controller and power source at all times. Your device will be on battery power whenever you?re active and connected to electrical power when you are sleeping. You will also need to have an extra controller and fully charged batteries (and power cables if applicable) available at all times as an emergency backup. You?ll need to be sure to take this backup equipment with you whenever you leave home.? Added Dr Gupta