How long can you live with an LVAD?

LVAD, or left ventricular assist device, supports the functioning of the weak heart, helps relieve symptoms, and improves quality of life. However, you may be concerned about the success rates of surgery and its survival rate or life expectancy. Suppose you are going for an LVAD or trying to make an informed decision for your family member or friend. In that case, you should know about the procedure details, surgery success rates, life expectancy, recovery, post-operative life modification, and necessary adjustments.  

By the end of the guide, you will be able to make an informed decision after having complete knowledge. 

What is an LVAD? Why do you need it?

An LVAD is a mechanical pump that is put into your heart after you have a disease that will not get better, like advanced heart failure. This is a medical heart device that improves the flow of blood and supplies oxygenated blood to each organ in your body. It is highly effective in improving the patient’s symptoms and improving the quality of life. 

You may need an LVAD device in the following conditions:

• Your health has severely declined due to heart failure, and you need the support of an LVAD.
• Your heart is in a recovery phase and needs some time for complete recovery.
• You are not suitable for a heart transplant, so you may need to live a life with an LVAD.
• You may require an LVAD for a bridge to transplant while you wait for a suitable heart donor.

How does LVAD work?

The LVAD device consists of a pump that moves blood from the ventricles to the aorta, a driveline that connects the pump to the controller outside the body, and batteries that are the power source of the controller and pump. The controller remains outside the body and controls the device, and also alerts the user if the pump stops for some reason or the battery dies. The pump circulates the blood and supplies oxygen-rich blood to the whole body to allow normal functioning. However, like any other treatment, you should discuss LVAD device benefits and risks with your doctor before deciding on LVAD.

Success Rates of LVAD Surgery:

If you have a beginner’s guide to LVAD, you must also know the success rates of the procedure. The success rates of LVAD surgery depend on many factors, including the general health of the patient, age of the patient, use of the latest medical technology, and the post-operative care. However, the success rates have increased in recent years due to medical advancements and innovations. In general, 80% to 85% of patients live a good quality of life in the first year after LVAD implantation, and 75% are living without symptom recurrence. It means short-term survival rates are very high after LVAD. But long-term survival rates can vary according to the unique condition of each patient. 

LVAD vs Heart Transplant, Which one is better?

Your doctor may have discussed about heart transplant after heart failure. A heart transplant is actually a permanent treatment that eradicates the cause and symptoms of heart failure completely. A heart transplant is a procedure that totally replaces a damaged heart with a new, healthy heart from a deceased donor. On the other hand, the LVAD heart device compensates for the loss of function of the heart and just improves the circulation of blood. LVAD does not treat the cause of the heart failure. 

Although a heart transplant is a permanent treatment, it is not suitable for every patient. You may need an LVAD as a destination therapy for the rest of your life because your general health cannot support the new heart. If your doctor suggests that you need support until you go for a heart transplant, then you have to go for LVAD implantation before you get a transplanted heart. 

Life Expectancy after LVAD and Heart Transplant:

According to a systematic research held in 2018, there was no significant difference between LVAD and Heart Transplant with reference to the mortality rate after 1 year. Life expectancy after an LVAD and Heart Transplant is not a thing that totally depends on the procedures. But it depends on the number of patients and medical factors. Let’s discuss the life expectancy of each procedure and the factors affecting it. 

How long can you live with a heart transplant?

A study was conducted in 2020, which concluded that 89% of patients who received a heart transplant live after 1 year, and more than half of those patients who were involved in the study have lived a life for over a decade after their surgery. It is difficult to judge how long a person can live after a heart transplant. It is because there might be other medical issues going on with a person who is getting a new heart. The presence of co-morbidities drastically affects the life expectancy after a heart transplant. Another study in 2019 suggested that the average life expectancy of a heart transplant is 9.4 years.

How long can you live with an LVAD?

There is no specific scale that can measure how long you can live with an LVAD. It totally depends on your general health, your heart’s condition, and other medical factors. However, in general, a patient with LVAD has an average life expectancy of 4 to 5 years. It is much lower than the heart transplant, but a life-saving heart device for people who are on the waiting list to get a suitable donor, or for patients who need an LVAD as a destination therapy. 

Longest surviving LVAD patient:

Many patients have survived over a decade after having an LVAD implantation. Let’s talk about these patients who are inspiring us every day while living a good quality of life. 

Mayra Rodriguez is a 42-year-old woman from New Jersey who has completed 16 years living with an LVAD HeartMate 2 device. She said she is not just living but enjoying her life with her family and friends, and feels fortunate about it. 

Her case has been documented in a medical report as the longest LVAD survivor and is on ongoing support with the same HeartMate II LVAD that was originally implanted 16 years ago. This highlights both the durability of the device and her spirit to maintain the device in order to live longer with a good quality of life. 

Factors that can affect your life expectancy after an LVAD:

Some of the factors that can affect life expectancy after an LVAD are listed below:

• General health of the patient
• Cause of heart failure
• Age of the patient
• Presence of other medical problems like pulmonary hypertension, kidney problems, or diabetes.
• Number of complications after the LVAD
• Experience of a doctor in performing LVAD implantation
• Post-operative care and management
• Proper device management 
• Mental health support
• Positive history of infection
• Lifestyle 
• Consumption of alcohol and smoking
• Nutritional status

Why is post-operative care and lifestyle modification necessary?

After surgery, it is important to follow the instructions of your doctor regarding post-operative care, because it can significantly impact the chances of complications. When you take care of yourself and your device, take proper medications prescribed, and attend regular follow-up appointments, then it reduces the chance of infection and other problems like this. These factors support your recovery and keep you in good health, which can enhance the life expectancy of an LVAD. 

Recognize early warning signs of LVAD device impairment:

Your doctor will give you a set of instructions after LVAD implantation and also warn you to report immediately when you see any sign of dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, or restlessness. If you ever feel any of these symptoms suddenly, you need to inform your doctor and get emergency treatment. All these may be the signs of LVAD device malfunction or reduced blood supply to the body. 

The controller of your LVAD device may also tell you about the pump failure and ring an alarm, or vibrate. Always listen for the pump sound and immediately inform your doctor if you feel any unusual sound coming from the LVAD pump. Pump failure also causes a sudden drop in blood pressure and increases your heart rate. If the pump does not work for a long time, you may notice swelling or fluid retention in your legs and feet. 

Tips to increase life expectancy after LVAD:

As discussed earlier, there are some individual or patient factors that can affect life expectancy after LVAD. Some of these factors are modifiable, which means you can modify them and take control to minimize the chances of complications. Here are some of the tips to increase the possibility of a longer life expectancy after LVAD:

• Take proper medications on time and monitor your health.
• Keep an extra pair of batteries with you all the time and regularly check them.
• Follow device care instructions and do not compromise on the driveline safety, as the infection can reduce overall life expectancy.
• Carry your LVAD device with proper LVAD-specific clothing that prevents tugging on the driveline and reduces malfunctioning.
• Invest in LVAD apparel and accessories and buy products from a brand like LVADGear. They offer premium-quality LVAD vests that not only accommodate LVAD perfectly but also allow you to move freely without any anxiety. 
• Do not miss your appointment with your doctor in a follow-up routine.
• Report immediately to the emergency department if you feel any of the signs mentioned above.
• If you are unable to switch off the alarms and are experiencing severe symptoms, go to the emergency room.

Conclusion: 

An LVAD can significantly help people with advanced heart failure by improving blood flow and quality of life. While it may not offer as long a life expectancy as a heart transplant, it serves as a crucial support option for those who are not eligible for a transplant or need urgent support until they get a suitable heart donor. Understanding factors that can affect life expectancy can help you or your loved ones make informed decisions about heart treatment. Always consult your doctor about the best treatment options according to your specific condition. 

FAQs:

What happens if your LVAD battery suddenly stops working?

If your battery suddenly stops working, your LVAD device will stop working, which means your heart will not be able to supply enough blood to the body, which can be life-threatening. It is the main reason that Patients are advised to keep an extra set of batteries and a power cable with them. The controller also beeps an alarm to alert its user if the battery power is low. 

What are the disadvantages of having an LVAD?

One of the disadvantages of having an LVAD is that it demands a modified lifestyle, increased risk of infection through the driveline, blood clot formation, and stroke.

How do you die with an LVAD?

If an LVAD suddenly stops working, and there is no backup in the initial hours of the critical period, then there is a chance that a person’s heart deteriorates and causes heart failure and even death.

What is the difference between LVAD and a Pacemaker?

An LVAD is a mechanical pump that assists a weak heart in pumping blood out of the ventricle. However, the pacemaker is implanted to treat the abnormal rhythm of the heart by generating electrical signals. 

Is it possible for LVAD patients to live alone?

Yes, it is possible for some LVAD patients to live alone, but it depends on their overall health, ability to care for the device, and emergency backup. Many patients are trained to manage battery changes, respond to alarms, and perform daily maintenance. However, it is best to have a caregiver nearby for safety purposes who can check on you regularly.