19
HVAD
®
Patient Manual
2.4 The Operation to Place the HeartWare
™
HVAD
™
System
Placement of the HeartWare
™
HVAD
™
System requires a major operation. An incision
will be made on your chest, so the surgeons can gain access to your heart. Part of the
HVAD
®
Pump will be inside the heart and part will sit in the chest cavity, right next to
the heart. The driveline will be tunneled under the skin and come out through the
skin just above the abdomen. After the pump is in place and working, the incisions
will be sutured closed.
Once the surgery is nished, you will be taken to the Intensive Care Unit where nurses
and doctors will provide you with the level of care you need. You will likely be on a
breathing machine for 12-24 hours and will have to spend some time in the Intensive
Care Unit. You may also be connected to several intravenous lines and drainage
tubes. During this time you will receive antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection and
medications to help keep your heart beating regularly. You may also need to get
some blood transfusions. None of these treatments are unusual; they are all intended
to reduce the chances that a complication may occur. As you regain your strength,
you will be taken off the breathing machine and the intravenous lines and tubes
will be removed. You may also be moved from the Intensive Care Unit to a general
hospital oor. While you are in the hospital, you will begin a rehabilitation program
designed to help you return to a more active lifestyle. As part of this program, you
and your caregiver will be given training on the HeartWare
™
HVAD
™
System. You
will be trained on how to handle and care for your HeartWare
™
HVAD
™
System
equipment, as well as how to respond to emergencies and alarms.
Figure 14: Illustration of an Implanted HVAD
®
Pump
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