Living with LVAD and its Misconceptions - Dr Ravi Kumar R

Heart failure represents a serious health issue that millions of people are victimized from all parts of the world. It is known to develop in an individual if the heart is unable to pump blood sufficiently to meet all the body's needs. Hence, symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and other symptoms tend to occur. It occurs due to the thickening of the fatty deposits accumulating on the artery walls.

Chronic stress can be responsible for high levels of cortisol which leads to heightened risk. This disease may cause difficulties during daily living, giving hard times in climbing stairs, walking in the street, or doing exercises, and in a few cases can prove to be life-threatening.

Presently, heart failure impacts more than 10 million individuals in India, resulting in recurrent hospital admissions and is one of the primary contributors to issues or fatalities related to heart issues. The fact that in India, heart failure happens 10 years earlier than it does in the rest of the world highlights the seriousness of the issue.

A heart transplant or a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) are two well-established options for treating chronic heart failure. However, heart transplants are generally not recommended after the age of 70 since it can be difficult to find a suitable donor. However, all adult patients up to the age of 75 may benefit from LVADs, a battery-operated device implanted into the major pumping chamber of the left ventricle of the heart.

Dispelling myths about having an LVAD in daily life

1. A patient undergoing LVAD therapy cannot have a healthy life.

This claim is inaccurate, as research and medical professionals have shown that LVADs enhance patients' quality of life by improving cardiac function, which frequently results in an improvement in energy and general well-being.

Furthermore, patients receiving LVAD therapy can perform physical activities with less effort and discomfort due to their enhanced cardiac output, which promotes better cardiovascular health.

2. Compared to LVADs, heart transplant survival rates are higher.

This is untrue, as LVAD therapy raises survival rates in severe heart failure patients who are either waiting for a heart transplant or are not eligible for one. Although heart transplantation is explored as an option for treating heart failure, it is generally not recommended for anyone over the age of 70 and, in many cases, also due to a shortage of suitable heart donors.

In the interim, before a suitable donor heart becomes available, LVADs can act as a bridge to heart transplantation. HeartMate 3, for example, has shown decreased complication rates and increased survival rates.

3. LVADs limit the individuals

It would be incorrect to state that LVADs limit patients, as advances in technology have made it possible for patients to manage the device at home with the help of their healthcare team. This enables people to live more independently and flexibly while still getting essential medical attention and supervision. Additionally, by increasing blood flow and lessening the strain on the heart, LVADs assist in easing the symptoms of heart failure.

As patients make certain adjustments to live with LVADs, it becomes simpler for them to enjoy a good quality of life with the support of these devices through appropriate adjustments and careful monitoring.

4. The cost of LVAD therapy is excessive.

LVADs have the potential to save lives and eventually provide cost-effective solutions despite the fact that they may be perceived as an expensive therapy. In certain cases, they may even work out to be less expensive than other heart failure treatments. Additionally, financial aid programs are available to assist patients and their families, and many insurance companies cover LVAD costs.

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