Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs)

Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs)

  • Overview
  • Approach
  • What To Expect
  • Appointments
  • Resources
  • Locations
  • Doctors

    • What is a ventricular assist device (VAD)?

    Ventricular Assist Devices, or VADs, are a type of mechanical circulatory support device used to treat advanced stages of heart failure. VADs work by assisting the heart in pumping blood to the rest of your body, improving circulation to vital organs. Your doctor may recommend a VAD when conventional methods such as lifestyle changes and medication are not effective. These devices improve survival and quality of life for patients with advanced heart failure.

    What are the types of VADs?

    Abbott HeartMate 3® Left Ventricular Assist Device

    The HeartMate 3™ is designed with Full MagLev™ flow technology, which helps protect the blood as it flows through the pump to minimize adverse events. The HeartMate 3 consists of wearable components that support and monitor system performance. The HeartMate 3 is FDA approved for short- and long-term use in patients with advanced stages of heart failure.

    *Notice for Patients with the Medtronic HeartWare™ HVAD™ system

    Medtronic stopped the sale and distribution of the HeartWare™ HVAD™ system in 2021 because of an increased risk of neurological events and a potential for the internal pump to stop.

    For more information, see:

     

    Who is a good fit for VADs?

    Patients with cardiac disorders resulting in end-stage heart failure or cardiogenic shock (when the heart is unable to pump as much blood as the body needs).

    • Heart failure
    • Cardiogenic shock

    Our Approach

    The U-M Health VAD Program has been at the forefront of VAD technology since it was first introduced over 30 years ago. It is one of only a few programs worldwide that has participated in the majority of VAD-related investigational and FDA-approved clinical trials.

    We are currently leading the groundbreaking INNOVATE trial, which will assess effectiveness of the latest VAD technology, the BrioVAD™ Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAS), compared to the only device currently used to treat end-stage heart failure, the HeartMate 3™ Left Ventricular Assist System.

    What To Expect

    LVADs work by pumping blood from the left ventricle (lower part of the heart) and moving it forward into the aorta, the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. These pumps (LVAD and RVAD) assist the weakened heart muscle; they do not replace the heart muscle. The pump is implanted inside your body. A driveline connects to the pump and exits through a small site in your abdomen. This driveline is connected to a small computer, called the controller, which runs the pump.

    How are VADs used?

    VADs are used in patients with advanced heart failure who meet certain medical criteria. They can be used as a bridge to transplant (BTT) for patients who are waiting for a heart transplant. If an organ has not become available, this device can be implanted temporarily until a heart does become available. A VAD can also be used as destination therapy (DT) in patients who may not be eligible for a heart transplant, but have advanced heart failure. For destination therapy patients, these pumps are implanted permanently as long-term support to extend and improve the patient’s quality of life. Patients implanted with a VAD as destination therapy have survived for 8-10 years on the device.

    Appointment Information

    Patients can schedule an appointment by calling us at 888-287-1082.

    Patient Resources

    Heart Transplant & LVAD Support Group

    The Adult Heart Transplant & LVAD Support Group is open to pre- and post-heart transplant patients and their families, as well as those who have LVADs or who are considering getting one. The group offers social and emotional support as well as educational information.

    Locations
    • Cardiac Surgery Clinic | Frankel Cardiovascular Center 1425 E Ann St
      Floor 3 Reception C
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5856       Get Directions
    • Cardiology Clinic | Frankel Cardiovascular Center 1425 E Ann St
      Floor 3 Reception C
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5856       Get Directions
    • Ventricular Assistance Device Clinic | Frankel Cardiovascular Center 1425 E Ann St
      Floor 3 Reception C
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5856       Get Directions

    Doctors

     Search for a U-M Health doctor     Keith David Aaronson, MD

    Keith David Aaronson, MD, PhD, MS

    Professor

    Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine, Cardiology

    Abbas Bitar, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine

    Thomas Matthew Cascino, MD

    Thomas Matthew Cascino, MD, M.Sc.

    Clinical Instructor

    Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine

    Monica Mechele Colvin, MD, MS

    Clinical Professor

    Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease

    Jessica Rachel Golbus, MD

    Jessica Rachel Golbus, MD

    Assistant Professor

    Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine

    Jonathan William Haft, MD

    Professor

    Thoracic Surgery, Surgical Critical Care, Surgery

    Reema Hasan, MD

    Reema Hasan, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine

    Robert Bruce Hawkins, MD

    Robert Bruce Hawkins, MD, MSc

    Assistant Professor

    Thoracic Surgery

    Michigan Photo

    Todd Michael Koelling, MD

    Professor

    Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine

    Taylor Alexander Lebeis, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology, Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease

    Show All Doctors

    Providers

     Search for a U-M Health provider     labcoat

    Kevin Andrew Knott, PA-C

    Physician Assistant

    Physician Assistant

    Angela Marie Rose, PA-C

    Angela Marie Rose, PA-C

    Physician Assistant

    Physician Assistant

    Support Groups

    Find support and encouragement from others like you.

    Heart Transplant & LVAD Support Group
    For pre- and post-heart transplant patients and their families, as well as those who have LVADs or who are considering getting one.
    Event runs January 12, 2026 - July 05, 2027

    Heart Transplant & LVAD Support Group
    For pre- and post-heart transplant patients and their families, as well as those who have LVADs or who are considering getting one.
    Event runs January 12, 2026 - July 05, 2027

    Heart Transplant & LVAD Support Group
    For pre- and post-heart transplant patients and their families, as well as those who have LVADs or who are considering getting one.
    Event runs January 12, 2026 - July 05, 2027

    Heart Transplant & LVAD Support Group
    For pre- and post-heart transplant patients and their families, as well as those who have LVADs or who are considering getting one.
    Event runs January 12, 2026 - July 05, 2027

    Heart Transplant & LVAD Support Group
    For pre- and post-heart transplant patients and their families, as well as those who have LVADs or who are considering getting one.
    Event runs January 12, 2026 - July 05, 2027

    Heart Transplant & LVAD Support Group
    For pre- and post-heart transplant patients and their families, as well as those who have LVADs or who are considering getting one.
    Event runs January 12, 2026 - July 05, 2027

    Heart Transplant & LVAD Support Group
    For pre- and post-heart transplant patients and their families, as well as those who have LVADs or who are considering getting one.
    Event runs January 12, 2026 - July 05, 2027

    Heart Transplant & LVAD Support Group
    For pre- and post-heart transplant patients and their families, as well as those who have LVADs or who are considering getting one.
    Event runs January 12, 2026 - July 05, 2027

    Heart Transplant & LVAD Support Group
    For pre- and post-heart transplant patients and their families, as well as those who have LVADs or who are considering getting one.
    Event runs January 12, 2026 - July 05, 2027

    News & Stories
    grandma with baby in arms smiling
    Health Lab

    Treating a rare coronary artery aneurysm without open heart surgery

    Cardiologists at University of Michigan Health prevented the rupture of an aneurysm in a woman’s heart and used a minimally invasive solution to avoid open heart surgery. 
         mother with four kids smiling
    Health Lab

    A heart attack 9 days after giving birth: Mother of 4 shares her SCAD experience

    A mother of four shares journey with a rare heart attack just days after birth called Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection, a leading cause of heart attacks in women under 50.
         surgeons up close in surgery with scrubs and scrub hats on green teal
    Health Lab

    Failed TAVR? Heart surgeons explain TAVR explant, options and risks

    As transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR, gains popularity, cardiac surgeons are seeing more cases of failing valves. Two cardiac surgeons from Michigan Medicine explain TAVR explant and other surgical options.
         Health Lab Podcast in brackets with a background with a dark blue translucent layers over cells
    Health Lab Podcast

    Delays in Heart Surgery for Women due to One-Size-Fits-All Criteria

    Two studies showed similar disparities for different heart procedures.
         see through heart on table through virtual reality set up
    Health Lab

    Virtual reality enhances training for pediatric cardiologists

    Multicenter study suggests virtual reality may be valuable educational tool in boosting understanding of complex congenital heart disease among pediatric cardiologists.
         drawing of two people with one having hand over shoulder of other who has a full red heart and the other having a broken heart and appearing sad darker on pink background
    Health Lab

    Strength amidst strain: Measuring resilience in young heart patients

    A new Michigan Medicine study highlights opportunities to build resilience in children and young adults with single-ventricle heart disease to improve their health and recovery.