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Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital
First LVAD Implanted at Sutter Heart Institute 09-27-2007
In May, the Sutter Heart Institute implanted Sacramento's first left ventricular assist device, improving a West Sacramento heart patient's quality of life while he awaits a heart transplant. The patient, Steven Andersen, 50, of West Sacramento, received the first LVAD under the new VAD program at SHI.
With an implantable LVAD, a patient can return home after learning how to manage the device safely. After just two weeks, Andersen went home and, in time, even returned to his sales management job.
An LVAD, used as a "bridge to transplant," is a battery-operated device that helps maintain the pumping ability of a heart that can't effectively work on its own. An LVAD can help pump a weak heart and "buy time" for a heart transplant patient. LVAD patients are then placed at the top of the waiting list (1a status) for one month. After that, they are at 1b status.
Previously, Sacramento cardiologists were sending their patients to the Bay Area for LVADs, and those patients were then undergoing heart transplants there, too.
"Not only is the LVAD program offering a much-needed service in the area," said Robert Kincade, M.D., surgical director of the VAD program, "but it also boosts new life into our heart transplant program."
With an implantable LVAD, a patient can return home after learning how to manage the device safely. After just two weeks, Andersen went home and, in time, even returned to his sales management job.
An LVAD, used as a "bridge to transplant," is a battery-operated device that helps maintain the pumping ability of a heart that can't effectively work on its own. An LVAD can help pump a weak heart and "buy time" for a heart transplant patient. LVAD patients are then placed at the top of the waiting list (1a status) for one month. After that, they are at 1b status.
Previously, Sacramento cardiologists were sending their patients to the Bay Area for LVADs, and those patients were then undergoing heart transplants there, too.
"Not only is the LVAD program offering a much-needed service in the area," said Robert Kincade, M.D., surgical director of the VAD program, "but it also boosts new life into our heart transplant program."