Advanced heart failure patients deserve to receive a realistic, informative appraisal of their condition, tempered with a message of hope. While every healthcare provider has a unique way of communicating with patients, you can use the information in this video as a starting point to inform discussions about HeartMate XVE LVAS, advanced-stage heart failure therapy. The Thoratec HeartMate® XVE LVAS (vented electric) was developed and tested by Thermo Cardiosystems, Inc. and the Texas Heart Institute. This patient is able to leave the hospital while being supported by this device, paving the way for other patients to routinely wait at home for their transplants. Because the system is relatively easy to use, patients and their families can maintain it outside the hospital setting. Patients can live at home, return to work, and resume a more normal lifestyle while awaiting a suitable donor heart. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the HeartMate XVE LVAS for destination therapy, which means the device can be used as permanent support for end-stage heart failure patients not eligible for heart transplants.
