(Also known as LVAD)
 
What the Procedure Does
The left ventricle is the large, muscular chamber of the heart that pumps blood out to the body. A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a battery-operated, mechanical pump-type device that's surgically implanted.

Reason for the Procedure

• Helps maintain the pumping ability of a heart that can't effectively work on its own.
• Sometimes used as a "bridge to transplant" for patients waiting for a heart transplant.

See an illustration of Left Ventricular Assist Device.

(Also known as Artificial Pacemaker)

What the Procedure Does
A small device that has wires which are implanted in the heart tissue to send electrical impulses that help the heart beat in a regular rhythm. The device is powered by a battery.

Reason for the Procedure

• When the heart's "natural pacemaker" is defective and causes the heart to beat too fast, too slow or irregularly, a pacemaker helps the heart beat in a regular rhythm.

See an illustration of a Pacemaker.

(Also known as ICD)

What the Procedure Does
A device that has wires which are implanted into the heart tissue and can deliver electrical shocks, detect the rhythm of the heart and sometimes "pace" the heart's rhythms, as needed.

Reason for the Procedure

• Used in patients at risk for recurrent, sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation.
• Restores the heart to normal rhythm.
• Helps prevent sudden cardiac death.

See an illustration of an ICD.