Potential Benefits; How To Decide If A Heart Ware ® System Is The Right Treatment For You; The Operation To Place The Heart Ware ® System - HeartWare Ventricular Assist System Patient Manual

HeartWare® Ventricular Assist System Patient Manual
Complication
Damage to Blood Cells
Heart Attack
*Cardioversion: Controlled electrical shock used to return the heart to a normal beating pattern
5 POTENTIAL BENEFITS
The HeartWare® System was designed to assist a failing heart. The potential benefit of having the
HeartWare® System is the relief of the symptoms of advanced heart failure while you are waiting for
a heart transplant. However, there is no guarantee of this and your symptoms may remain
unchanged. As a result of the relief of symptoms of heart failure you will feel stronger and have the
ability to be more active.
5.1 How to Decide if a HeartWare® System is the Right Treatment for You
Only you, in consultation with your doctor can decide if having the HeartWare® System is right for
you. Your doctor will talk with you about the potential benefits and risks of surgery and implantation
of the HeartWare® System. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any concerns or questions you may
have.
5.2 The Operation to Place the HeartWare® System
Placement of the HeartWare® System requires a major operation. An incision will be made on the
breastbone so the surgeons can gain access to your heart. You will be temporarily placed on a heart‐
lung machine that will do the work of your heart and lungs while the surgeons are placing the
HVAD® Pump. Part of the HVAD® Pump will be inside the heart and part will sit in the chest cavity,
right next to the heart. An electrical wire called a driveline will be tunneled under the skin and come
out through the skin just above the abdomen. The driveline wire will connect the external computer
(controller) that runs the pump and the power sources to the implanted pump. After the pump is in
place and working, you will be weaned from the heart–lung machine and the incisions will be
sutured closed.
Once the HVAD® Pump has been implanted, you will be taken to the Intensive Care Unit where
nurses and doctors will provide you with the level of care you need. You will be on a breathing
machine for 12‐24 hours and will have to spend some time in the Intensive Care Unit. You will also
be connected to several intravenous lines and drainage tubes. During this time you will receive
antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection and medications to help keep your heart beating regularly.
You may also need to get some blood transfusions. None of these treatments are unusual; they are
all intended to reduce the chances that a complication may occur. As you regain your strength, you
will be taken off the breathing machine and the intravenous lines and the tubes will be removed.
You may also be moved from the Intensive Care Unit to a general hospital floor. While you are in the
Percent Chance for
Patients to Have
this Complication
3%
0.3%
Page 12
Result of Having a Complication
Hospitalization, medication
Hospitalization, medication, death