Heart Transplant

Ventricular Assist Devices

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UCLA Health heart transplant patient outcomes are among the best in that nation. Call 310-825-8816 to learn more about the Heart Transplant Program.

For information about heart-lung transplants, please call 310-825-6068.

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Our physicians are highly skilled in all types of ventricular assist devices (VADs) to support patients with advanced heart failure.

Some VADs are used as a bridge to heart transplant - a way to keep very ill patients alive until a donor heart becomes available. Other devices are used as destination therapy, with no plans for transplantation.

Ventricular Assist Devices as Destination Therapy

Ventricular assist devices (VAD) were once viewed just as a bridge to transplantation.

But as VAD technology continues to improve, these devices increasingly are an attractive destination treatment for patients who are not eligible for a transplant. Even some patients on the transplant list find that a VAD improves their quality of life to the point that they don't want another surgery.

Our physicians help you choose the most appropriate option, providing care both before and after you receive a VAD.

Ventricular Assist Devices as a Bridge to Transplantation

Many patients continue to receive VADs as a bridge to transplantation, with the devices supporting the heart until a donor is found.

We were one of the first medical centers to implant the HeartMate II left ventricular assist device, which has been highly successful in supporting our patients' hearts. The HeartMate III is the latest generation of durable left ventricular assist device, designed to offer several benefits:

  • Full MagLev Flow Technology provides advanced, large and consistent blood flow, resulting in fewer complications and improved patient quality of life.
  • Patients are often able to return home within three weeks following VAD implantation and enjoy a good quality of life while awaiting a suitable donor or receiving destination therapy.

We are also the major tertiary center for advanced heart failure and end-stage heart disease in Southern California:

  • We care for numerous patients who require bi-ventricular mechanical support (in contrast to the more common left ventricular mechanical support).
  • Since 2000, our team has implanted more than 110 pneumatic BiVADs.
  • Patients supported with a VAD while awaiting transplant at our center have successfully received heart transplants, with nearly 90 percent surviving one year after transplantation.

Ventricular Assist Devices Available at UCLA

We offer a complete slate of ventricular assist devices to support adult and pediatric patients with a variety of care needs. These include:

  • HeartMate III (Abbott)
  • HeartMate II (Abbott)
  • CentriMag (Abbott)
  • HVAD (Meditronic)
  • Total Artificial Heart (SynCardia)
  • Berlin Heart (pediatric device manufactured by Berlin Heart)

As part of our robust program to offer this life-extending therapy to patients with end-stage heart disease, we also:

  • Support referring physicians who wish to care for patients after they receive a VAD
  • Offer a peer support program for VAD patients

For additional information about living with a VAD or artificial heart, please contact us.