Long-term use of ventricular assist devices induces heart muscle regeneration, study finds

UTSW. US: Prolonged use of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) by patients with heart failure may induce regeneration of heart muscle by preventing oxidative damage to a cell-regulator mechanism, UT Southwestern Medical Center investigators have found.

Left ventricular assist device

UTSW. US: A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a battery-operated device used to help the left ventricle pump blood through the body.  Ventricular assist devices can be used in a variety of settings for patients who:

• Are waiting for a heart transplantation
• Have advanced stages of dilated cardiomyopathy
• Have chronic heart failure and are not candidates for heart transplantation
• Have experienced organ rejection after heart transplantation
• Have had massive heart attacks with no options
• Have myocarditis
• Have undergone heart surgery but cannot be taken off cardiopulmonary bypass