June 27, 2025
The Valley Hospital is proud to announce it has successfully implanted its first left ventricular assist device (LVAD) – a mechanical pump that supports heart function and blood flow in patients with advanced heart failure. The procedure was performed by Valley’s Center for Comprehensive Heart Failure Care team.
"This achievement reflects the strength and collaboration of our entire cardiac team,” said Suneet Mittal, MD, Chair of the Cardiovascular Service Line for Valley Health System. “With the LVAD program, we’re offering new hope to patients who once had few options.”
Advanced heart failure is a severe stage of heart failure where symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment, which may include medication or procedural interventions. This stage of heart failure signifies that the heart is significantly weakened and cannot pump blood effectively.
At the start of this year, The Valley Hospital launched the LVAD Therapy program, offering an advanced treatment option for patients suffering from heart failure.
LVAD is a surgically implanted mechanical heart pump designed to support patients whose hearts can no longer pump sufficient blood to meet their body's needs. The Valley Hospital's heart failure surgeons are currently implanting the Abbott HeartMate 3™ LVAD, an FDA-approved LVAD. The HeartMate 3 has demonstrated substantial improvements in patient survival rates and quality of life, according to Abbott.
An LVAD is suitable for patients with heart failure and depressed left ventricular function – weak heart pumping ability. There are two pathways a patient with a long-term LVAD will take – some will go on to receive a heart transplant, and others will live with the device for the rest of their life.
“The addition of LVAD therapy allows us to deliver advanced, personalized care for even the most complex heart failure cases, right here in our community,” said Paul Burns, MD, Director of Heart Failure Surgery at The Valley Hospital.
For individuals with end-stage heart failure, LVAD therapy offers several benefits over medical therapy alone, including improved organ function, symptom relief, enhanced physical activity, improved longevity, and the opportunity for at-home recovery.
For more information about Valley’s LVAD program, please visit ValleyHealth.com/LVAD.