Ventricular assist device
Ventricular Assist Device
A Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) is a mechanical pump that supports heart function and blood flow in people with weakened hearts. The device takes blood from a lower chamber of the heart and helps pump it to the body and vital organs, just as a healthy heart would.
Pronunciation
Ventricular: ven-TRIK-yoo-lar Assist: uh-SIST Device: dih-VICE
Etymology
The term "Ventricular Assist Device" is derived from the Latin word "ventriculus" which means "small belly" or "cavity", "assist" from the Latin "assistere" meaning "to stand by", and "device" from the Old French "devis" meaning "division, separation, or disposition".
Related Terms
- Heart Failure: A chronic condition in which the heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should.
- Cardiomyopathy: A disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body.
- Heart Transplant: A surgical procedure to replace a diseased heart with a healthy heart from a donor.
- Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD): A pump used for patients who have reached end-stage left heart failure.
- Right Ventricular Assist Device (RVAD): A pump used for patients who have reached end-stage right heart failure.
Usage
Ventricular Assist Devices are used in people who have weakened hearts or heart failure. While some people may use a VAD for a short period of time, others may use it as a long term solution. VADs can also be used as a bridge to heart transplantation.
Types of Ventricular Assist Devices
There are several types of VADs. The most common type is the left ventricular assist device (LVAD). The LVAD is implanted in the space around the heart and is used when the left ventricle is the main pumping chamber affected. Another type is the right ventricular assist device (RVAD). If both devices are used at the same time, they may be referred to as a biventricular assist device (BIVAD).
Risks and Complications
Like any surgery, implantation of a VAD carries risks, including infection and bleeding. Other potential complications include blood clots, device malfunction, and right heart failure.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ventricular assist device
- Wikipedia's article - Ventricular assist device
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski