Ventricular Assist Device Program
Vanderbilt Heart’s ventricular assist device (VAD) program offers a range of devices for end-stage heart failure patients whose medical management is failing.
Ventricular assist devices (VADs) are implanted, mechanical devices that pump blood through the body when your heart is too weak. For some patients, a VAD is a bridge until heart transplant. For others, VADs may serve them for the rest of their lives.
Our VAD team includes specialists in several areas dedicated to improving survival and quality of life in patients with advanced heart failure through clinical programs, research, and innovation
Conditions We Treat
Ventricular assist devices can support patients with heart failure due to a range of conditions, including:
- Congenital heart disease
Why Choose Ventricular Assist Device Program at Vanderbilt
- Knowledge and experience
Vanderbilt Health is one of the top heart transplant programs in the world, providing patients with outstanding outcomes and access to innovative new research and treatments. We have implanted more than 500 ventricular assist devices. Our team offers a multidisciplinary patient centered approach to care. We are dedicated to improving quality of life of advanced heart failure patient through research and innovation.
- Excellent outcomes
Our left ventricular assist device program outcomes regularly exceed national standards.
- Advanced treatment
We offer mechanical support options while you wait for a heart transplant—or sometimes instead of a transplant. For example, a ventricular assist device (VAD) allows you to live normally at home. As one of the first hospitals in the Southeast to offer VADs, we’ve implanted more than 500, including implanting the first total artificial heart in 2018. We were also among the first to provide extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for patients with severe conditions.
- Innovation
Our VAD team specializes in many cutting-edge treatments including minimally invasive surgeries and non-invasive procedures performed while on VAD support. The VAD program also leads many innovative programs such as VAD optimization, Heart Recovery with VAD, Remote Heart Monitoring with VAD and Weight loss with VAD.
- Veterans care
We are one of only five advanced heart failure and VAD programs designated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide heart transplants to our nation’s veterans.
- Comprehensive care
Vanderbilt VAD program is a multispecialty program that provides comprehensive care to all patients. Through a unique collaboration between various disciplines of medicine and surgery, we offer specialized care for those with adult congenital heart disease, heart arrhythmias and obesity. We were the first program in the state of Tennessee to offer Total Artificial Heart for biventricular failure and the only program in Tennessee to offer bariatric surgery for weight loss while on VAD support.
- Recognized care
Vanderbilt is consistently ranked among the nation’s best by leading authorities on health care quality. People from throughout the Southeast and across the country rely on us for the best and most innovative care possible.
- Team approach
We work together to ensure that you receive the comprehensive care you need. Our team members collaborate with each other, as well as with experts in other medical disciplines, to provide you with individual care that addresses your unique needs.
Tests, Treatments and Services
- Ventricular assist devices (VADs)
- Left ventricular assist device (LVAD)