HeartWare HVAD - Potential Benefits; How to Decide if the HeartWare HVAD System is the Right Treatment for You

5
HVAD
®
Patient Manual
1.5 Potential Complications and Risks (continued)
A list of possible complications is included below. Talk to your clinician to understand
your risks associated with both the implant surgery and HeartWare
™
HVAD
™
System use.
Table 1: Complications that may occur with the HearWare
™
HVAD
™
System
1.6 Potential Benefits
The HeartWare
™
HVAD
™
System was designed to assist a failing heart. The potential
benet of having the HearWare
™
HVAD
™
System is the relief of the symptoms of
advanced heart failure while you are waiting for a heart transplant. As a result of the
relief of symptoms of heart failure you will feel stronger and have the ability to be
more active. However, there is no guarantee of this and your symptoms may remain
unchanged.
1.7 How to Decide if the HeartWare
™
HVAD
™
System is the Right
Treatment for You
Only you, in consultation with your clinicians can decide if having the HeartWare
™
HVAD
™
System is right for you. Your clinicians will talk with you about the potential
benets and risks of surgery and implantation of the HeartWare
™
HVAD
™
System. Be
sure to talk to your clinicians about any concerns or questions you may have.
The HeartWare
™
HVAD
™
System should not be used if you cannot take blood thinning
medications.
Complications
Infection Kidney problems
Bleeding Liver problems
Irregular Heart Beat Damage to the blood cells
Failure of the Right Side of the Heart
HeartWare
™
HVAD
™
System malfunction or
failure
Lung Problems High blood pressure
Stroke Re-operation
Pain Death
Blood clots
WARNING! DO NOT become pregnant while you have the HeartWare
™
HVAD
™
System. If you are
a woman of childbearing age, use birth control if you are sexually active. Blood thinners (which
most VAD patients receive) have been associated with birth defects. If you do become
pregnant, tell your clinician immediately.