Formerly,ventricular assist devices (VADs)were reserved for those patients who could not be weaned from CPB after open-heart operations,or who had end-stage cardiomyopathy.Current indications and choices have expanded,and a variety of active and passive devices are available to support circulation for short-,intermediate-,and long-term use.Select the statement that best reflects the implications for a patient with a VAD.

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An expanding array of VADs is now available.Most devices allow ambulation,and some enable the patient to be discharged from the hospital.As designed,VADs augment cardiac output from the left (LVAD),right (RVAD),or both (biventricular [BiVAD])ventricles and decrease workload of the heart by diverting blood from the ventricle(s)to an artificial pump that maintains systemic perfusion.Patients with an LVAD benefit from the resulting enhanced anabolism,ambulation,and improved organ function.Complications (e.g.,bleeding,thromboembolism,infection,device failure)persist,but they have lessened with the newer VADs.

Formerly,ventricular Assist Devices (VADs)were Reserved for Those Patients Who Could