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Dhara K.
Questions about LVAD surgery

What should we know before my father gets an LVAD in India?

Last activity 1 year 8 months
My father, who is now 65, has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF), and has been recommended a heart transplant or an LVAD. We are still in the process of checking if he's a good candidate for either of those, but I would like to know someone's personal experience with either transplant or...
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Barry and Susan (caregiver) S.
Living with an LVAD

Right ventricular dysfunction

Last activity 1 year 8 months
My husband is 74 and also destination LVAD. His breathing has really gone down hill, because of dysfunction of the right ventricular , which creates regurgitation of the Tricuspid, thus fluid retention , thus increase Pulmonary disease. He was just at the hospital , Mayo, to see his Team. So for now...
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Lauren S.
Questions about LVAD surgery

COVID-19 Concerns pre-VAD or post-VAD?

Last activity 1 year 8 months
Hi everyone! My name is Lauren, and I work at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. My colleagues are the creators of Deciding Together, an LVAD Decision Aid which is intended to educate patients and caregivers and help them generate questions and concerns to discuss with a healthcare team...
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Cathie W.
Driveline Management

Sterile Dressing Supplies

Last activity 1 year 8 months
My husband received his new heart on June 4th. We have a large amount of supplies to share for the cost of shipping. Please let me know if you have need of any of the following: 2" and 4" gauze 2" and 4" driveline sponge rolls of 2" and 4" medipore tape hibiclens sterile water hair bonnets foley...
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Maryellen F.
Equipment

LVAD Equipment to give away

Last activity 1 year 9 months
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
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Ian P.
Inspiration and Encouragement

!0 years with a Ventrasist Lvad!

Last activity 1 year 9 months
I have recently 'celebrated' 10 years of living with an 'antiquated' Ventrassist LVAD in the UK. Life has not been easy with the heavy batteries and so on, but the 'behaviour' of the pump itself has been exemplary! We are getting to the stage where getting batteries for it can be quite difficult....
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Gova R.
Equipment

Heart mate 3 equipment

Last activity 1 year 9 months
Hi, I have Lvad Heartmate 3 equipment, 4 batteries, battery charger, Wall charger, go gear (small) , some dressing supplies, folly anchors, chloroprep etc. I have used less than a year. It’s in good condition. I can also ship the items if needed. Pls let me know if any one Is interested. you can...
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Cathie W.
Driveline Management

Sterile Dressing Supplies

Last activity 1 year 9 months
My husband got his LVAD June 2018. We JUST received the first invoice for dressing supplies and it was $3,443!! Our cost after insurance for Chloraprep is $202. A box of sterile gloves $75, Foley anchors (which are terrible and always come off but that's another story) are $62.00 The company is...
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Vikki R.
New to LVADs

Low Flow

Last activity 1 year 9 months
Hello, I’m 58 years old wife, mother. My CHF started in my early 40s secondary to Rocky Mountain spotted fever destroyed my ventricles. Now as of Dec 16, 2019 just out of the hospital 2months Feb 16. It’s been a roller coaster with my heartmate 3. Many low flow incidents, and high PIs. I’m either to...
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Debra W.
Patient and Caregiver Forums

Eliquis VS Coumadin

Last activity 1 year 9 months
My husband had a Heartmate 3 Inserted last March and did very well at first but soon was experiencing GI bleeds, source unknown after tests and scopes. Has rec'd numerous units of blood to get his Hemoglobin up to a whopping 8 or 9. MD wants to try Eliquis instead of Coumadin but not much study has...
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Ibrahim S.
Recipient Support

LVAD Flow

Last activity 1 year 10 months
Last week my LVAD flow reduce from 4. 5 L to 2.5L i dont know why thia happen now i complete one week with 2. 5L And my INR increase last week to 6 Is there any relation between INR and flow?
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Kathleen B.
Tips and Tricks

Fitbit for LVAD patient

Last activity 1 year 10 months
I am looking to buy my husband a gift. I want any in put on a fit bit that would be good for a Heartware LVAD patient. TIA
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Jerome M.
Equipment

Jerry M.

Last activity 1 year 10 months
The doctors staff check my equipment every six months. I always hook up to AC at night and I am going on my third year with my Heart Mate 3. During hurricanes I slept with my batteries as I did not want to tethered to a plug during an emergency. I charge the back up controller monthly by plugging it...
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Pat S.
Equipment

Equipment Needs a New Home

Last activity 1 year 10 months
I was on the Heart-Mate 2 for about 2 years. During that time I experienced no problems with my unit and the Hospital (Delray) regularly inspected it. I have all of my equipment in excellent condition with a need for a new home. I want this to go to somebody that has a real financial need for it and...
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Bill W.
New to LVADs

Getting a Heart Mate 3

Last activity 1 year 10 months
Good day to you all. I am going to be getting a Heart mate 3 here in the next couple of weeks. I admit to being very apprehensive about this and initially rejected the idea. I Just wanted to say That this site has been very helpful in making my decision to go ahead with the surgery. Time is short if...
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Annette Y.
Patient and Caregiver Forums

4 weeks LVAD POST OPERATION

Last activity 1 year 10 months
Hello VAD family, Just wanted to jump on really quick and make my first ever Vad post. My Husband is just 4 weeks post LVAD implant surgery. We have been living with CHF for about 5 years now, if he wanted to continue life the only option was LVAD surgery. I was prepared for a very difficult...
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Sophie F.
Clothing Options

Tight Clothing around/near the Driveline Exit Site

Last activity 1 year 11 months
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
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Alexander P.
Equipment

MPU Cables

Last activity 1 year 11 months
Does anyone knows if the LVAD manufacturer supply longer cables or there are any kind of extention cables to add to the extisting ones? I need like another 25 ft. Thanks.