Thoratec Corporation - VAD Trials & Outcomes

Patient Stories

For advanced heart failure patients, the challenges of daily activities can outweigh the pleasures of life. Ventricular assist devices can offer new hope for patients who have exhausted other therapies. After VAD implantation, many patients return to daily life with restored blood flow and more energy. The small, streamlined design of modern VADs allows most patients to move around with few limits on life—which many patients report living to the fullest.*

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Image of Bill Bill
"I went through rehabilitation and I was amazed that I was able to walk and I was not short of breath. This device is a very slick device because it very easy to live with."

Image of Laura Laura
"It was a normal recovery after heart surgery, doing a little more each day, progressing my activity a little more each day...and resume my role as a mother."

Image of Art Art
"I have confidence in the equipment. It doesn't bother me at all...I keep busy all the time."

Image of Marvin Marvin
"When you stop and think of how your life has changed... that is well worth the little bit of inconvenience."

Image of Karen Karen
"I finally feel like I have more of my self back again...But the main thing is that I feel so much better now than before I had the implant."

Image of Dave Dave
"I have a good life right now and [the HeartMate] keeps me there, keeps me going, keeps me happy."

Image of Gerald Gerald
"I've been able to do everything and more than what I expected to be able to do other than I can't swim in the pool. But that's O.K., I can live with that."

Image of Amy Amy
"You don't know how much you really love to live life until you are facing the possibility that it might not be there."

Image of Doug Doug
"My doctor knew nothing about it, even my cardiologist didn't know about it and they're both just ecstatic and wanting to learn and now they know that there's hope for their other patients."

Image of Denise Denise
"I'm still waiting for a heart, but thanks to the HeartMate II, I am strong and I have my life back."

Image of Janna Janna
"If I were talking to somebody who was trying to make the decision whether or not to get a heart pump I would definitely say to go ahead and do it."

Image of Johnny Johnny
"My main worry was I didn't want to sit on the porch, taking pills, and not have some type of life."

Image of Sherri Sherri
"I've had an LVAD now for six years, and six years ago, you know, they did not give me a chance."

Image of Jake Jake
"I can get up in the morning, ride my bicycle. I can rake the leaves and mow the lawn. I have no problems going up and down stairs."

Read Patient Testimonials

*Please consult the Instructions for Use for indication for use, contraindications, warnings, and adverse events. Individual experiences, symptoms, situations, and circumstances may vary. Please consult your physician or qualified health provider regarding your condition and appropriate medical treatment.