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LVADs and Advanced Heart Failure

A Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) is a surgically implanted mechanical device that helps your heart pump blood.

Advanced Heart Failure and LVAD

LVAD at Pulse: the team, services provided and our locations

Meet the LVAD Team

The Pulse LVAD Team

Advanced Heart Failure and LVAD Services Provided

Our team offers the following services:

Advanced Heart Failure therapies, including LVAD, Electrophysiology, etc.
Patient and caregiver education and support
Optimization of Heart Failure medications and device therapies

Our Locations

Pulse Heart Institute Heart Failure Services – Puyallup

Pulse Heart Institute Heart Failure Services – Tacoma

An introduction to LVADs

A Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) is a surgically implanted mechanical device that helps your heart pump blood. This device is used in patients who have reached end-stage, or advanced, heart failure.

Intro to LVADs | MyLVAD

LVAD Therapy for Advanced Heart Failure | Abbott

Getting Back to Your Life with a HeartMate 3 LVAD | Abbott

The Process

Patients who are potential LVAD candidates will be seen by a comprehensive team of professionals.

As part of consideration for LVAD, the patient will also undergo testing such as blood tests, ultrasound and CT scans, blood flow and lung function test.

The workup and evaluation will be a comprehensive medical and non-medical (lifestyle/social) assessment. The LVAD coordinator will assist with consult and procedure scheduling, and our social worker will complete an evaluation.

Once this workup is complete, we will meet as an interdisciplinary team to determine if an LVAD is the appropriate treatment. The patient and their support team will also decide if this is a treatment consistent with their goals of care.

Our team will support the patient and their family on whatever treatment plan is pursued.

LVAD Decision Aid