About 6.7 million Americans over the age of 20 have heart failure, with one-third of U.S. adults at risk for the condition. Medication is a common treatment in early stages, but heart failure can progress to the point where medication is no longer effective. Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy helps the heart pump better when you have advanced heart failure or a weakened heart, which can help you live a more active life. LVAD can give an improved quality of life when medication stops working or while you are waiting for other advanced treatment, such as a heart transplant.

What is LVAD?

An LVAD is an implanted device that helps pump blood from the lower left chamber (left ventricle) of the heart to the rest of your body. It moves blood continuously in support of your heart’s natural pumping action. For some people, an LVAD offers long-term treatment when a heart transplant isn’t possible. 

Patients facing heart failure have treatment options and resources at Texas Health to help in managing the disease. Heart failure clinics located on the campuses of Texas Health Dallas, Texas Health Fort Worth and Texas Health Southwest Fort Worth provide advanced therapies for the management of heart failure. Additionally, Texas Health Fort Worth offers individualized LVAD follow-up care on a regular, outpatient basis to help lower the chance of having a hospital stay.

LVAD Program at Texas Health Fort Worth

Outpatient heart failure care at Texas Health Fort Worth for LVAD therapy aims to minimize complications and manage disease progression.

Services include:

• Medication and lab value checks to prevent blood clotting
• Device maintenance checks
• Medication dosage management and medication changes as needed
• Administration of diuretics
• Dressing changes and infection preventative care
• Care coordination with patient’s physician/surgeon