The Valley Hospital has launched its Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) therapy programme, a significant advancement in treating advanced heart failure.
The hospital’s Centre for Comprehensive Heart Failure Care implanted its first LVAD, a mechanical pump that supports heart function and blood flow in patients with advanced heart failure.
Advanced heart failure is characterised by persistent or worsening symptoms despite treatments such as medication or procedural interventions.
The condition indicates a severely weakened heart unable to pump blood effectively. The Valley Hospital’s new programme provides an advanced treatment option for such patients.
Surgeons at the Valley Hospital are currently implanting the Abbott HeartMate 3, a surgically implanted device approved by the FDA.
It supports patients whose hearts cannot pump enough blood to meet their body’s needs.
Abbott reports that the HeartMate 3 has shown significant improvements in patient survival rates and quality of life.
Patients with heart failure and depressed left ventricular function, indicating weak heart pumping ability, are suitable candidates for LVAD therapy.
There are two potential pathways for patients with a long-term LVAD: some may eventually receive a heart transplant, while others may live with the device permanently.
For those with end-stage heart failure, LVAD therapy offers several advantages over medical therapy alone.
The advantages include improved organ function, symptom relief, enhanced physical activity, increased longevity, and the possibility of at-home recovery.
Valley Health System cardiovascular service line chair Suneet Mittal said: “This achievement reflects the strength and collaboration of our entire cardiac team. With the LVAD program, we’re offering new hope to patients who once had few options.”
The Valley Hospital heart failure surgery director Paul Burns said: “The addition of LVAD therapy allows us to deliver advanced, personalised care for even the most complex heart failure cases, right here in our community.”
Recently, Valley Health System partnered with Inbound Health to introduce a Hospital at Home programme, this summer.
The programme aims to provide hospital-level care to patients in their homes, enhancing patient experience while maintaining the quality and safety standards of The Valley Hospital.
The Hospital at Home programme offers eligible patients the same high-quality care available at The Valley Hospital, within the comfort of their homes.
Patients are initially required to visit the hospital for a medical assessment and home safety evaluation before being referred to the programme.
