Five-year survival stories on an artificial heart

Patients facing heart failure and certain death in the absence of an immediate heart transplant are living normal lives. These patients don’t have a pulse, heartbeat or blood pressure, yet they can do everything that a healthy person can, as their blood flow has been fully restored. The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has helped in the longevity of life for those who were facing imminent heart failure.

 According to Dr Kewal Krishan, director, Heart Transplant & Ventricular Assist Devices, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Max Hospital, Saket, says, “LVAD is a device that adds 13 to 15 years to the life of people facing imminent heart failure. It boosts functions of the heart and is used either as a temporary measure till a heart transplant can be conducted, or as a destination therapy where the patient lives with the device permanently as they are unfit for a heart transplant. LVAD enables patients to live a normal life even after end-stage heart failure.” 

“We have conducted over a dozen LVAD implants till now at our hospital ranging from a 7-year-old girl to an 81-year-old female patient. Four of those patients are living a normal life even five years after implant — they are the first and only LVAD recipients in India to have successfully survived beyond five years. Others are also doing well and hopefully will complete many more years on the device. LVAD is gradually emerging as a good alternative to a heart transplant.” he adds.