Patients and Caregivers Forums

I received a HeartMate III LVAD on 1/25/19. I have been home from the hospital for 5 days and I am using a Thoratec vest that was given to me at the hospital.I am ready to order mens clothing to accommodate my LVAD and would appreciate some advice. The batteries are now hanging on my side and the...

Any news of development of smaller batteries and if so when are they likely to be implemented - Thanks

Hi Everyone, My name is Arthur Canga, I'm from Brazil. My dad got the heartmate 3 this past July and i would like to get a few tips or some suggestions to protect his driveline during the shower. What kind of bandage is more secure to avoid his driveline of getting wet? He is starting to get some...

Hello everyone, I am familiar with VADs because I am a cardiovascular perfusionist - the person who operates the heart lung machine. At the hospital I work at were are very involved in VAD implant surgery, but also are responsible for taking care of VAD patients when they come to the operating room...

LVAD Battery dock, batteries(8), power module deck w/25 ft. Cord for sleeping, LVAD bag, battery tops, kits, gauze, betadine packs, lots of extra gear, and record of maintenance. Well taken care of and has been plugged in and maintained since removal. Was all brand new equipment when removed. Lots...

My mother had an lvad implant in June 2019. The waist binders she has to keep her driveline secure are rough and scratchy. Does anyone have suggestions for alternate binders. She’s fairly petite. I appreciate any suggestions!

Hello Everyone, Per my capstone project on making better solution catered towards women who have LVADs, I would love to know more specifically how you hold your LVAD in different articles of clothing! Girdles, vests, shirts, etc. I would love to know how you uniquely wear your LVAD for different...

My husband has had his Heartmate 3 for almost a year now. He has days where he gets a stinging pain at the drive line site. We have not been able to get an explanation for this. Has anyone else experienced this, know what causes this, or how to eliminate it?

Hi Everyone! I am looking to hear your experience regarding wearing athletic materials like spandex over or near the driveline exit site. Is it bad to cover part of the cord and exit site with tighter fabrics like spandex? Do you prefer more flowy fabrics near the exit site? Thanks! -Sophie

Our local LVAD hospital is, like all others, running short of gloves and other supplies. If you are a Heartmate 3 user I know you have extra gloves and hand sanitizers in your kits. If you do have extras why don't you save them and take them with you on your next visit or get them to the ER. It's...

My significant other had LVAD implantation last year in May. Before he had the surgery his heart function was at 15% and he had prepared himself that he was going to die. His children and I talked to him about pursuing LVAD surgery and he seemed receptive. We went to Mayo and they said he would be a...

Hi, I'm a 35 y/o caregiver to my dad with heart failure. The hospital LVAD educator suggested I speak with the people on here for more information from people who have actually been there. Up until recently, my father has an EF around 10%, does not use oxygen, can walk short distances, and can...

LVAD Battery dock, batteries(8), power module deck w/25 ft. Cord for sleeping, LVAD bag, battery tops, kits, gauze, betadine packs, lots of extra gear, and record of maintenance. Well taken care of and has been plugged in and maintained since removal. Was all brand new equipment when removed. Lots...

Leaky valve 2.5 years after surgery

Hi - Unfortunately, my father passed away in November and was an LVAD patient. I have a couple of LVAD shirts and an LVAD vest that I would like to donate. Is there a place that I could send these to? The hospital did not take donations. Thank you -

Hello, I am in the process of designing a new LVAD shirt and would like feedback from patients and caregivers regarding LVAD wearable clothing items. Please take a few minutes to respond to the survey below. Thank you! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G656YDR

Hey y'all, I am a senior in college in a group working on our senior project. We are developing an improvement in mobility and reducing infection for the driveline exit site. In order to survey customer needs, we made a ~7 minute questionare if y'all have time it would be much appreciated. This...

If you had a chance to perform research about LVADs, which question would you like to be answered?