What purpose does a left ventricular assist device serve?

A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is specifically designed to help patients with severe heart failure by providing mechanical support to the heart. This device aids the left ventricle, which is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood to the body, especially when this chamber cannot perform effectively on its own.

The primary purpose of an LVAD is to serve as a bridge to heart transplantation. Patients who are awaiting a donor heart may use an LVAD to maintain proper circulation and improve their quality of life while they wait. It can temporarily take over the work of the weakened heart and help manage the symptoms of heart failure, making it a critical tool for increasing the chances of survival until a transplant can be performed.

In contrast, managing arrhythmias typically involves medications or other devices such as pacemakers, while an LVAD does not replace the heart but rather assists it. Although an LVAD can support recovery after a heart attack by relieving some of the workload on the heart, its primary role is not focused on recovery but rather on providing functional support in patients with severe heart failure, particularly in the context of preparing for a heart transplant.