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In this Article

• What is a left ventricular assist device (LVAD)?
• How does an LVAD work?
• What are the benefits of an LVAD?
• What are the risks of getting an LVAD?
• Find a local Cardiologist in your town
• Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Index

What Are the Risks of Getting an LVAD?

As with any surgery, there are risks involved. Your surgeon will discuss the risks of the procedure with you.

After surgery, there are other risks, including:

• Infection
• Internal bleeding
• Heart failure
• Device failure
• Blood clots
• Stroke
• Respiratory failure
• Kidney failure

In studies, therapy with the permanent LVAD device doubled the one-year survival rate of patients with end-stage heart failure as compared with drug treatment alone. However, there were some risks, including infection, stroke, and bleeding.

Talk to your doctor to find out if a LVAD is right for you.

WebMD Medical Reference

SOURCES:

The Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute

Reviewed by Robert J Bryg, MD on September 15, 2009

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