Miracle Heart Pump - Implant Gives Dying Patients New Life

[njean]

Hello friends,

I just read this interesting article in the December issue of the AARP Bulletin, concerning an implant, a pump if you will, that can be implanted in patients whose hearts are failing and they are slowly dying, which is unfortunately, the scenario I'm trapped in right now.

The device is an LVAD that's implanted inside the chest, just underneath your own heart. It basically takes over the duties of your natural heart by pumping the blood into the aorta where it's then delivered throughout the rest of your body. It's been noted that in some cases your own natural heart can heal because of the assist of this wonderful device! Amazing huh???

Here's the link: http://pubs.aarp.org/aarpbulletin/201112_DC?folio=10#pg10 If you try viewing the page one by one, it will blow up the text making it easier on the eyes to read.

This same device was implanted in VP, Dick Cheney which he talks about in his recent book, which I haven't read yet.

I just sent this link to my old time surgeon in Houston to read and ponder and hopefully get his opinion. I have no idea if I would even be considered a candidate since I suffer with Pulmonary Hypertension and that fact has precluded me from being considered for a heart transplant already.

But I can't help but hope and sometimes that's all I have to hold on to!

Take care and enjoy the read.

 

[AgilityDog]

I understand these LVADs used to be too large to implant in most women, but the size has been reduced in recent years. And that they run on a battery pack so you are more mobile.
Here's hoping it's an option for you, if need be.

 

[escargome]

Well Norma, it sure can't hurt to ask. Cause if we don't have hope, then what have we left. I will pray that this device will be an option for you since I feel you are such a classy woman and I know that the world is better with you here. May God Bless You.

 

[sarahsunshine]

I find the whole concept of allowing the heart to heal itself to be a revolution in heart treatment. It absolutely fascinates me, particularly for the the treatment of children. In recent years I have seen 3-4 storied of children put on artificial hearts while waiting for a transplant, only for the doctors to realize that during that waiting period the heart had healed itself - a WAY better solution that hadn't seemed to be in the planning.

I truly hope that this is an alternative for you. Best of luck with your cardiologist.

 

[Julian]

Super exciting times, I truly believe for all of us there are going to be huge improvements in all areas of medicine in the next 5 to 20 years. For heart patients new drugs, better options for pacemaker patients, one size fits all for heart valve patients, with stem cell I believe people will be able to have their own equipment repaired being able to get off of failing/mechanical valves/obse/pacemaker/reverse chf. Exciting times.

 

[Lynlw]

Brian , whose Mom posted here during his surgeries had the pump for months,that ended up letting his heart heal and instead of needing the transplant they ended up just replacing a valve and his heart did well. Andrew Wendy's son has had his pump for aa few months now, but he still needs a hart transplant, but in his case, the hope was he wasn't a candidate fo transplant so they hoped the pump would let his heart rest and heal to the point he could be listed for a new heart, and he is now waiing for a heart.

 

[Lily]

I think this pump may be what the son of member Briansmom had for awhile -- does anyone else remember?

I really feel for you Norma Jean. My pulmonary hypertension is still mild though it may have gotten a little bit worse, as per my last annual echo. It originally developed before my failing bicuspid valve was replaced and I'm pretty sure it may be why I can only slowly climb inclines. I think I remember Nancy -- whose late husband was Joe -- saying there was a medicine he took that was helpful for his PH. Do you recall?

Oh, since I've been editing this, I see that Lyn commented on Brian's pump. Brilliant minds, eh :wink2:

 

[Bina]

When the Ottawa Heart Institute had a recent fund raising drive, they interviewed a gentleman with a heart pump,
he looked good and was thrilled to have it.

 

[njean]

I think this pump may be what the son of member Briansmom had for awhile -- does anyone else remember?

I really feel for you Norma Jean. My pulmonary hypertension is still mild though it may have gotten a little bit worse, as per my last annual echo. It originally developed before my failing bicuspid valve was replaced and I'm pretty sure it may be why I can only slowly climb inclines. I think I remember Nancy -- whose late husband was Joe -- saying there was a medicine he took that was helpful for his PH. Do you recall?

Oh, since I've been editing this, I see that Lyn commented on Brian's pump. Brilliant minds, eh :wink2:

Here is a link to a post Nancy had where she talked about her Joe and his ongoing battle w/PH and the drugs he had been on to help alleviate it. (http://www.valvereplacement.org/forums/showthread.php?31309-Pulmonary-)

Some of these drugs are so devastatingly expensive (some are 100K or more) that if you don't have insurance, you're doomed! The drug I'm on is called Revatio and I was told by the pharmacist that it costs about $47K or more a year.

 

[njean]

Received a Reply

Received a Reply

Just wanted to let you know that I received an email reply from the surgeon that performed by first 2 surgeries back in 1975.

He said, "the Heart Mate pump is generally not used electively, but as a last resort and my EF is still too healthy (55-60%) to justify implanting the pump (risks vs benefits/timing). And too, while it has been used at least once for concomitant right and left heart failure, it is mostly used ONLY for left heart failure."

Well, my question has been answered and I keep pressing forward......

 

[Sarah_Louise]

I've met 3 ladies when i was in hospital attached to the LVAD's, really wow'er me especially as they where talking about charging them and plugging them into the wall! you'd have thought they where on about their mobile phones, not their hearts!!
Hope something becomes available for you Norma thinkin of youuu xxxxx

 

[Lily]

Thanks for the link, Norma. Continued best wishes to you

 

[Greg a]

Is this the same unit that Alley the bionic bride had before transplant http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Bionic-Bride/119390961436414 HER FB PAGE

Or maybe we will not need donors or pumps http://swo.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101013/artificial-heart-101013/20101013/?hub=SWOHome

 

[Greg a]

link to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventricular_assist_device