Cost of implanting left ventricular assist device (LAVD) for people with heart failure

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Dr. Nguyen Van Duong - Interventional Cardiologist - Cardiovascular Center - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
Surgical implantation of left ventricular assist device helps patients with end-stage heart failure prolong life, improve patient quality of life due to improved heart failure symptoms.

1. What is a left ventricular assist device (LAVD)?

End-stage heart failure is the most severe form of heart failure, at this stage medical treatments are almost no longer effective, patients have to face constant fatigue, prolonged coughs, Shortness of breath even when lying down. Complications of end-stage heart failure such as stroke, myocardial infarction, acute pulmonary edema, kidney failure, liver failure, ... seriously threaten patients' lives. Previously, heart transplant surgery was the only treatment that saved a patient's life. However, the number of donated hearts is very small compared to the huge number of patients who need a heart transplant. On the other hand, to receive a heart transplant, the patient and the donor heart must match many indicators and not all patients are healthy enough to perform a prolonged heart transplant surgery. Therefore, the chance of a patient receiving a heart transplant is very low. Left Ventricular Assist Device (LAVD) was born as a life-saving device for patients with end-stage heart failure.
The left ventricular assist device has a pump-like structure. In it, one pump end is implanted in the left ventricle and the other end is attached to the aorta. The left ventricular assist device helps to pump blood to the peripheral arterial system, making blood circulate normally in the body of patients with end-stage heart failure, when the patient's heart function is too weak, unable to pump blood to the muscles. body. The patient's health and quality of life are improved, the symptoms of cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath are significantly reduced.

In the past, the left ventricular assist device was used for maintenance treatment while patients with end-stage heart failure were waiting for a heart transplant, but now with the improvement of life expectancy and convenience in use, transplanted left ventricular assist patients for long-term use as targeted therapy. In some cases, a left ventricular device can be implanted when a patient has sudden severe heart failure due to infection, alcohol poisoning, etc. The device gives the heart time to rest, when the heart recovers. device recovery will be removed.

2. How is left ventricular assist device (LAVD) implantation performed?

Implantation of a left ventricular assist device is performed only when only the left ventricle is impaired, but the right ventricle (RV) is not affected. This method has no absolute contraindications. Patients with hypertension and pregnant women have temporary contraindications. Before the transplant, the patient needs to have blood tests and other diagnostic methods to evaluate the function of organs in the body.
Implantation of left ventricular assist device is done through open surgery method. In addition to the two devices attached to the heart and aorta, there is also a cable from the device to the skin, which connects to the controller and the battery is attached outside the body. The cable is made of a special material that helps the wound heal quickly and the skin grows back. Equipment can work continuously for many years and rarely fail. Despite its small size, the device can pump 6-10 liters of blood per minute, more than the average blood requirement of a healthy adult of 4-5 liters per minute.

After surgery, patients usually recover after about 2 weeks, blood circulation is restored to almost normal. Most patients are able to return to work and perform familiar daily tasks. Adherence to treatment after surgery plays a very important role in the effectiveness of treatment, the patient needs to wear the device outside at all times, the battery must be charged daily. Patients who have regular check-ups, use the drug as prescribed by the doctor, absolutely must not stop taking the drug on their own.

3. Cost of implanting left ventricular assist device (LAVD) for people with heart failure

Implantation of left ventricular assist device is a high technique, only medical facilities with full modern equipment and a team of qualified and skilled doctors can perform it. Therefore, the cost of implanting a left ventricular assist device is quite high. However, some surgical costs are co-paid by insurance, helping patients with end-stage heart failure have more opportunities to access LAVD, a technique that is considered a great advancement in the field of interventional cardiology. card.
Left ventricular assist device (LAVD) implant surgery has been performed at Vinmec Times City Hospital with a success rate of over 90%. It is equipped with modern equipment on par with leading hospitals in the world. In particular, the hospital is invested in a Hybrid operating room with advanced equipment such as DSA angiography machine, anesthesia machine integrated with software to closely monitor patient hemodynamics (PiCCO system, entropy, ...) . Hybrid operating room can meet the requirements of surgery and angioplasty, coronary stenting, aortic stent grafting, open heart surgery, heart valve replacement for congenital heart diseases with the most modern minimally invasive techniques, safe, helping patients recover soon. In addition, the implantation techniques of assistive devices are performed directly by experts and leading doctors in cardiovascular surgery in Vietnam.

To prevent complications caused by heart failure, the best way is to determine the heart failure status, the degree of heart failure, the cause of heart failure, and comorbidities. Patients can choose the Heart Failure Package at Vinmec International General Hospital. Subjects who should be screened for cardiovascular disease annually include:
Group 1: Customers who have no symptoms of heart failure but have other cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, angina, diabetes, dysrhythmias). heartbeat,... ). Or people in middle age (men ≥ 45 years old, women ≥ 50 years old), especially those with tobacco addiction, alcohol abuse or obesity. Group 2: People with common symptoms of heart failure such as shortness of breath, shortness of breath, persistent dry cough, feeling like body weakness, heaviness in the chest, dizziness, dizziness, fainting spells, pulse heart failure, edema, little urine, liver irritation, swollen neck veins,... When choosing to use the Heart Failure package at Vinmec International General Hospital, customers will be examined by Cardiology specialist, general practitioner. blood and urine cell analysis, quantification and measurement of substance activity in the blood, electrocardiogram, routine and stress echocardiography, chest x-ray along with a number of other services.

In April & May 2021, when there is a need for medical examination and treatment at Vinmec Times City International General Hospital, customers will enjoy dual incentives:
- Free specialist examination and discount 50% of many cardiac checkup packages such as:
+ Basic Cardiovascular Screening Package
+ Hypertension Checkup Package
+ Heart Failure Checkup Package
+ Coronary Cardiovascular Examination Package
+ Comprehensive Cardiovascular Checkup Package
- 50 off % of cost for customers with post-examination treatment indications. The program is limited to the corresponding technique of each hospital and to customers who perform this treatment technique for the first time at Vinmec.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.