Smaller Implantable Ventricular-Assist Device

A new, smaller intracorporeal ventricular-assist device (IVAD), about half the size of existing systems, consists of a small pump positioned inside the chest wall and upper abdomen and connected by a thin, flexible line to a control unit and battery pack outside the body.

Weighing less than one pound, the pump can be adapted to take over the work of the left ventricle or the right ventricle of the heart. If needed, two devices can be implanted to support both ventricles. The IVAD's small size makes it an option for many smaller patients whose chest cavities are not able to accommodate the larger size of existing systems. Since the electromechanical components of the control unit remain outside the body, they can be serviced or replaced without subjecting patients to additional surgery.

VADs are used as a bridge to recovery or a bridge to transplantation, helping to pump blood for days, weeks, or months until the heart is able to function on its own or a donor heart becomes available. The IVAD is not intended to completely replace the paracorporeal system, which will continue to be preferred for shorter-term ventricular assistance. The new IVAD, an experimental device now being tested in 10 US medical centers, was developed by Thoratec Corp. (Pleasanton, CA, USA), which also developed a paracorporeal system now in use.




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Thoratec