Community Forums

Hello Everyone again, i have a Heartmate II for almost 3 years now. Not a candidate for transplant, too healthy,, antibodies too high. However, the Dr. wants to put on entresto and continue on coreg to possibly remodel the heart and bring up the EF. There is more information, but no need to bore you...

Has anyone out there in LVAD land been successful in changing their own driveline dressings and if so, please pass along how you do it. I can only get so far before I have to let my wife finish the job. I currently do a sterile dressing change but am having a hard time lining up the tagaderm and...

How do you handle sporting events with a metal detector? I wouldn’t expect the attendants to know anything about LVADs or to be amenable to a letter about LVADs. Thoughts or experiences? Many thanks.

Hi. I have some LVAD equipment I would love to give away to anyone who needs it. Thoratec Heart Mate Go Gear Battery Holster, 2 Shower Bags, one consolidated bag, right, Battery Holster, power module cable, 2 stabilization belts, white. Please let me know and I will ship to you. thanks Maryellen

Hello All! My Dad had his LVAD surgery on the 6th of March, 2019. I believe he had an anxiety attack today but wanted to see if anyone else had any of the same symptoms. He's 79 and had a heart attack in 2015. Was told February 6th he had 3-6 months to live if he didn't try to qualify for the LVAD....

I have batteries heart mate 2. and shower bags and kits. Free !!! If interested contact me by email I got a transplant genkinger336@bellsouth.net

Hi everybody, I got this email this morning and I read there's a new device that is implanted including the batteries. I don't think I want to go through the surgery again,but I would like to find out if the batteries will be replaced with the ones that I have and are lighter than the ones I have;...

If a LVAD recipient is doing some heavy physical activity like running, gyming or playing any sport, how does LVAD, which runs at constant speed, going to match the demand of blood supply. If it doesn't able to fulfill the requirement how does it going the affect the recipient? how dangerous it...

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

My name is Larrie and I’m Story Producer for a show called Life on Batteries, as well as an LVAD patient myself. I was hoping you could help me with research for an upcoming episode by sharing your experiences around emergency controller changes. This also may be a good discussion topic in itself,...

Does anyone test their INR at home? Was it worth the investment? Were you able to get insurance to pick up any of the cost of the device?

I have Heartmate II equipment for sale. It is in STELLAR condition, recently tune up my my LVAD team, cleaned, new power cord added, new batteries given to me, new battery tops..... everything! I also have a gently used LVAD bag. It's like new! And I had driveline site care supplies and LOADS of...

I've got to assume there is some backup equipment out there that one can purchase; whether it be from a heart transplant patient or from someone whose family member has unfortunately passed away? We would like not to lug equipment back and forth between two homes. Does anyone have an information on...

My father experiences Stage Four (D) Heart Failure, Ischemic Cardiomyopathy, Chronic Atrial Fibrilation, Pulmonary Hypertension (due to left heart disease) and CKD Stage Three. He underwent the LVAD procedure on Friday, April 26. Six days later he remains on a ventilator under heavy sedation. He has...

We thought pictures of the Wildkin Adult Lunch Bags would be helpful...Sue does not go anywhere with out one! They have two compartments...top can be used for regular carry everywhere items and the bottom holds the controller and batteries...each compartment has double zippers. They are water...

I have a HM3 and recently had some rhythm issues. Has anyone tried using an iWatch to check your HR and rhythms? If so, does it work well?

My husband was fitted with a BIVAD (2 Heartmate III) on 10/28/19 and we have had a cruise to the southern Caribbean planned for July of next year since September. We are trying to decide if we should cancel this trip or not. Has anyone cruised to the Caribbean with a VAD if so please share how you...

Hello, my name is Chris and I have had my HeartWare LVAD for a little over a year now. Life with the device had gone mostly as well as could be expected although I have experienced one problem that is quite a nuisance and was wondering if anyone had some feedback or advice on how to tackle this...

Lets get to it. The worst thing that can happen to an LVAD user is a drive line infection. It can put you in the hospital many times over and cures with the various antibiotics may or may not work for you. It can lead to extra surgeries for debridement and in some cases make it worse. In my case I...