ventricular assist device

noun

: a device that is implanted in the chest or upper abdomen to assist the left or right ventricle in pumping blood in a damaged or weakened heart

called also VAD

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web That search unveiled a fourth infected patient, also with a left ventricular assist device. —

Jessica Bartlett, BostonGlobe.com, 6 Mar. 2023 The former Vice President provided an instant laugh line for comedians this week when it was revealed that during his latest heart surgery, doctors installed a new implant called left ventricular assist device, or LVAD. —

Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 21 July 2010 As Elodie waited for a new heart, a Berlin EXCOR pediatric ventricular assist device was surgically placed to help her pump blood. —

Wyatte Grantham-philips, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2022 Powers is now using a left ventricular assist device (LAVD), which helps pump blood from her left ventricle to the rest of her body. —

Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 2 Feb. 2022 For five years, Vreeman relied on an LVAD — a left ventricular assist device — to pump his failing heart until a more permanent solution was available. —

Beth Bragg, Anchorage Daily News, 17 May 2020 The transplant program has also successfully implanted three ventricular assist devices -- electromechanical heart pumps -- without complications in the last year, according to OHSU. —

oregonlive, 10 Apr. 2020 Black patients were more likely to be prescribed ventricular assist devices, pumps that helps blood flow, than heart transplants, especially if their health care provider was over 40. —

Mary Kilpatrick, cleveland, 11 Nov. 2019 After a heart attack, Young received a mechanical pump, known as a left ventricular assist device, or LVAD, in 2014, according to his sister and medical records. —

Caroline Chen, ProPublica, 3 Oct. 2019 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ventricular assist device.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of ventricular assist device was in 1970

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near ventricular assist device

ventricular

ventricular assist device

ventricular fold

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Ventricular assist device.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ventricular%20assist%20device. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

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Medical Definition

ventricular assist device

noun

ventricular as·sist device -ə-ˈsist-

: a device that is implanted in the chest or upper abdomen to assist the left or right ventricle in pumping blood in a damaged or weakened heart

Researchers found that pumps known as ventricular assist devices, which are implanted without removing the patient's heart, were superior to drug therapy among the sickest patients.—

Lawrence K. Altman, The New York Times

called also VAD