LVAD
Medical abbreviation · Cardiology
| Stands for | Left ventricular assist device |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
LVAD stands for Left ventricular assist device, a cardiology abbreviation.
Implanted mechanical pump that draws blood from the left ventricle and propels it into the aorta, supporting circulation in advanced heart failure. It serves as a bridge to heart transplantation or as permanent "destination therapy" for patients who are not transplant candidates.
Example: LVAD patient with low-flow alarms and dark urine; check LDH for pump thrombosis.
Usage notes
Modern continuous-flow pumps such as the HeartMate 3 often leave patients without a palpable pulse, so blood pressure is measured with a Doppler. A driveline exits the abdomen to an external controller and batteries. Complications include driveline infection, stroke, bleeding and pump thrombosis. Former US Vice President Dick Cheney lived with an LVAD before his 2012 heart transplant.
Related abbreviations
More cardiology abbreviations
- LHC – Left heart catheterization
- LIMA – Left internal mammary artery
- LM – Left main coronary artery
- Lp(a) – Lipoprotein(a)
- LQTS – Long QT syndrome
- LV – Left ventricle
- LVEDP – Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure
- LVEF – Left ventricular ejection fraction
- LVH – Left ventricular hypertrophy
- LVOT – Left ventricular outflow tract
- MACE – Major adverse cardiovascular events
- MAP – Mean arterial pressure
See all 229 cardiology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.