The term Heart Treatment sends a shiver down our spine. Our heart is the most vital organ of our body. It sustains our living, pumps the blood to and from all other organs, and helps us stay alive. The human body relies greatly on the heart’s action of pumping blood to deliver oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to the cells of the body. The cells in turn are nourished accurately, helping the body to function efficiently. With heart failure, the heart becomes weak and loses its ability to supply blood to the cells of the body. This situation results in people feeling fatigued and experiencing symptoms like shortness of breath or cough. Some people even experience difficulty carrying out everyday activities including walking, carrying things, climbing stairs, etc.
Heart failure is a serious condition and mostly, it's hard to cure. However, many people lead a joyful and healthy life with the help of experts post an efficient heart treatment. One such prominent treatment for the heart is called the left ventricular assist device (LVAD.)
What is a LVAD?
LVAD is referred to as the Left Ventricular Assist Device. LVAD is a circulatory support system that runs electromechanically. Using an implantable pump, LVAD assists the lower chambers of the left ventricle of the human heart. Powered by a battery; LVAD assists a weak left ventricle by pumping out the blood and providing it into the aorta. The aorta is the largest artery that helps in the supply of all the oxygen-rich blood to all major organs. LVAD as a heart treatment is recommended for patients who experience a weak or failing left ventricle.
This condition generally occurs following a heart attack or a myocardial infarction, as experts suggest. This condition can also occur if a person is suffering from end-stage heart failure.
When is an LVAD used?
LVAD is a battery-operated, mechanical device that is implanted surgically for patients suffering from heart failure. As mentioned above, it is done specifically for people who experience a failing left ventricle. The device sometimes is also referred to as a "bridge to transplantation." The need arises only because usually patients suffering from a failing heart experience symptoms that make them weak. While they wait for a heart transplant, their heart slowly stops pumping blood throughout the body. An LVAD in such cases works like a miracle. It helps a weak heart regain its ability to pump blood effectively. It has also effectively helped eliminate the requirement for a heart transplant for some patients.
However, nowadays, LVAD as heart surgery is used mostly for patients when heart transplant is not a viable option.
What should I expect during LVAD Implantation?
If you are a patient and have consulted an LVAD expert, you must know the procedure. However, if you are finding it difficult to understand, the following explanation might clear all queries.
As a potential LVAD patient; you will be either subjected to a bridge-to-transplant procedure or a destination therapy. A patient who has already been accepted for a heart transplant will get the advantage of getting a bridge-to-transplant done. However, if a patient is not considered eligible for a transplant, they will undergo destination therapy. Based solely on the
health status, LVAD experts decide the treatments that will be most suitable for the patients.
How does LVAD work?
LVAD as a common treatment utilizes a tube that can pull blood from the left ventricle into a pump to help the heart. The pump further sends the blood to the aorta which is the largest blood vessel in the left ventricle. This dramatically helps strengthen the weakened ventricle and help the heart pump enough blood to sustain survival. The pump used in the common LVAD is placed in the upper abdomen. There is another tube that is then attached to the existing pump which is directed out of the abdominal wall to the outside of the body. This pump is attached to the battery. The battery controls the pumping system outside the body.
Now, LVADs have slowly become advanced and portable. They are mostly used for weeks to months and have proved to be beneficial for struggling patients with a weak heart. Today, patients with LVADs can easily get discharged from the medical facility and maintain a satisfactory life as others. These patients sometimes even wait for a donor heart to become available for a heart transplant.
LVAD Treatment by Dr. Kewal Krishnan: Why choose the LVAD Expert?
For patients with the need to go for a heart transplant or suffering from an end stage heart failure, the LVAD treatment under the direction of Dr. Kewal Krishnan offers faith and strength. Dr. Kewal Krishnan ( best heart transplant surgeon ) is one of the most accomplished and seasoned LVAD expert in the country. Dr. Kewal Krishnan has done more than 4 years of advanced clinical fellowhsips at some of the world's top hospitals including Mayo Clinic and Mount Sinai Medical center.
Features that should make Dr. Kewal Krishnan as an LVAD expert for your treatment are mentioned below.
- Kewal Krishan currently works as Senior Consultant Cardiac Surgeon at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket.
- As mentioned above, he has four years of experience in advanced clinical fellowships at world’s top hospitals where he gained a sound experience in advanced therapies.
- From gaining his licence by the Medical Council of India in 1995, he has been continually training himself in the spectrum of best heart transplant surgeon in india and ventricular assist devices.
- Kewal Krishnan believes in sharpening all the advanced knowledge about the cutting-edge treatments and steers clear with a progressive approach
- He always aims for minimally invasive procedures that help patients feel comfortable instead of being scared
- Moreover, he encourages patients to adjust to a new found life after LVAD implantation