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

Examples of ventricular assist device in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web As Jamie Mahaffey awaits a life-saving donation, a GoFundMe page has been established to help with the costs with his left ventricular assist device (LVAD) as well as his ongoing wait for a heart transplant. The Enquirer, 19 Jan. 2024 Known as a left ventricular assist device, the HeartMate 3 helps the main pumping chamber of the heart pump blood to the rest of the body. Daniel Chang, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2023 Just for subscribers: A man's heart one of few to improve with left ventricular assist device. USA TODAY, 11 July 2023 The data showed that a heart transplantation or a ventricular assist device was performed in 11% of the Black patients compared with 22% of the White patients, although death rates were similar in both: 18% in Black patients and 13% in White patients. Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 19 Oct. 2022 In November 2018, Dr. Erika Feller, who is in charge of the cardiac transplant program at the University of Maryland Medical Center, took over his case and implanted a left ventricular assist device or LVAD, a mechanical pump, implanted in his body to help a weakened heart pump blood. Frederick N. Rasmussen, baltimoresun.com, 20 Nov. 2020 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

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Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ventricular assist device was in 1970

Dictionary Entries Near ventricular assist device

Cite this Entry

“Ventricular assist device.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ventricular%20assist%20device. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

ventricular assist device

noun
ventricular as·​sist device -ə-ˈsist- How to pronounce ventricular assist device (audio)
: 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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