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Jean C. Prospective Patient

LVAD Work up

Mon, 07/16/2018 - 6:52PM
Hello. I am new to this site. I had a week long work up in June to see if I was a candidate for a LVAD at this time. I was told that I am too healthy at this time and the surgery would be too risky. However, my cardiologist said they'd prefer to wait 2+ years to do the surgery, as my blood time is O negative and the wait for a heart will be 4+ years, so, waiting for LVAD woukd be beneficial. Has anyone else been told this? Thank you.
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Dean F.

Mon, 07/23/2018 - 5:14PM
I was told that my blood type O+ would cause me a longer wait. Unfortunately my heart couldn’t wait until a possible transplant so the LVAD was implanted Dec 14th, 2017. I was first diagnosed in 2011 with idiopathic non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. I worked full time until the day before Thanksgiving 2017. While at work I had issues and my boss called an ambulance. From then I was basically in the hospital. The original plan was to keep me in the hospital and do a transplant but my heart wouldn’t stabilize. I was given a 2 day notice that the LVAD was being implanted. Originally in 2011 my cardiologist told me that I was not bad enough to rate being on the transplant list and was told to wait. When I went to the hospital before Thanksgiving he said I should go to OSU for a consultation. He was going to set it up. Then I ended up being careflighted to OSU since they could not stabilize me and I was getting worse. Things have only gotten better. OSU thought originally there was nothing they could do but after further work ups they came up with a plan. They saved my life that December and I couldn’t be more grateful to them. I just got activated on the transplant list a little over 2 weeks ago. Living on pins and needles hoping and nervous at the same time about getting the call. On a another note one of the team at OSU said that if my LVAD was doing well that they try to get the most time they can out of it. He said that you start a timer from the day you get your transplant. So maybe they are trying the same for you. Allowing your heart to donits jobs as long as it can. Prayers to you! I hope everything works out well for you.
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Sunnie M.

Mon, 07/23/2018 - 5:49PM
I was not a candidate at first either. I very quickly got sick enough for a vad, and now after 5 years with my vad it is coming out on Monday . Good luck with your journey.
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Sunnie M.

Mon, 07/23/2018 - 5:49PM
I was not a candidate at first either. I very quickly got sick enough for a vad, and now after 5 years with my vad it is coming out on Monday . Good luck with your journey.
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Sunnie M.

Mon, 07/23/2018 - 5:49PM
I was not a candidate at first either. I very quickly got sick enough for a vad, and now after 5 years with my vad it is coming out on Monday . Good luck with your journey.
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Sunnie M.

Mon, 07/23/2018 - 5:49PM
I was not a candidate at first either. I very quickly got sick enough for a vad, and now after 5 years with my vad it is coming out on Monday . Good luck with your journey.
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Kevin H.

Tue, 07/24/2018 - 4:26PM
I would consider not 'sick enough' for an LVAD good news not bad. An LVAD is considered life saving device only to be used when your own heart failure is causing severe symptoms that are so bad any normal life activities are nearly impossible. These symptoms include shortness of breath even at rest. edema can no longer be controlled by diet and medication etc. in other words end stage heart failure. My ejection fraction was 10 or below when I got my LVAD 7 years ago. I had maybe a month to live. I had been on oxygen 24/7 for a year. The idea of using the all the diuretics and other drugs is to control your heart failure symptoms and making your own heart last as long as it can. LVADS and heart transplants are not without their own set of problems with the blood thinners with the LVAD and anti-rejection medications with a heart transplant. Take your medications and do as the cardiologist says and keep your body the way God made it! Kevin
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Brenda G.

Wed, 07/25/2018 - 3:53PM
I read your question and do you know what your exact diagnosis is ? What is your ejection fraction? How long have you been on medication? I know you have to be out of options to be a candidate for LVAD. And what I mean in my case stage (D) or stage 4 heart failure. I have a LVAD and currently on waiting list for a heart transplant. As far as waiting four years because your blood type is 0 that is ridiculous.I am 0 positive and have had my LVAD for 3 months and starting to feel better. I have met people who only waited months and some years however that is in the hands of a higher power when you get a heart.. Good Luck https://maps.app.goo.gl/?link=https://www.google.com/maps/place/19045%2BPERRY%2BHWY%2B,MARS,PA%2B16046/@38.1404852,-81.5962261,12z&apn=com.google.android.apps.maps&amv=914018424&isi=585027354&ibi=com.google.Maps&ius=comgooglemapsurl&utm_campaign=ml_promo&ct=ml-base2-nlu-o&mt=8&pt=9008&cid=5531242111761406742&_icp=1transplant
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Jean C.

Wed, 07/25/2018 - 9:34PM
My diagnosis is CHF and dilated cardiomyopathy in April 2017. My EF at diagnosis was 15. It is now between 20-25. My cardiologist in my home town has done all he can, he has no other treatment options which is why I was referred to Univ of Minnesota. Changing meds is out because my BP is so low and there are no other med options at this time. I am O negative and in the mid-west that is not a common blood type, therefore the reason for the longer wait for a heart. Cardiologist in Minnesota feels it is best to hopefully keep me as healthy as possible for a couple more years, if at all possible. I will have regular follow up's in Minnesota. If I begin to decline, then the LVAD surgery will be done.