The HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD or VAD) is a continuous flow blood pump. It is surgically implanted below the heart and is connected by an inflow tube to the left ventricle. The outflow tube is attached to the ascending aorta. Its job is to help severely diseased hearts pump blood through the left ventricle of the aorta. The LVAD is powered by an external battery. The HeartMate II which received FDA approval for bridge to transplant status in 2008 is smaller than previous heart assist devices and can accommodate smaller statured people. The HearMate II it is equipped with a portable battery pack allowing some patients to leave the hospital, live at home, and exercise. The HeartMate can be permanent, but in most cases it is a temporary device for patients waiting to receive a donor heart for transplantation. In rare cases the HeartMate II has allowed the patient’s heart to regain cardiac function. Victor Poirier was the founder and former President of Thermo Cardiosystems prior to its sale to Thoratec Corporation in 2001.
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