These devices can support the function of the left, right, or both heart ventricles. Ventricles are the lower chambers of your heart. The VAD contains tubes to carry blood from your heart and into your blood vessels, a power source, and a control unit to monitor the operation of the device. The device can be used to support your heart until it recovers, to support your heart while you wait for a heart transplant, or to help your heart work better if you are not a candidate for a heart transplant.

Surgery is required to connect the VAD to your heart. The operation is performed in a hospital. You will be given general anesthesia and will not be awake or feel pain during surgery. You will be given anti-caking medicine through an intravenous (IV) line in your arm. A breathing hose connected to a ventilator helps you breathe. A surgeon will open your chest and connect the arteries and veins of your heart with a heart-lung bypass machine. Your surgeon places the pump in the upper part of your abdominal wall and connects the pump to your heart with a tube. Another tube connects the pump to one of your main arteries. The VAD connects to the control unit and power source outside your body. When the heart-lung machine is turned off, the VAD supports blood flow and takes over your heart's pumping function.

After your surgery, you will recover in the intensive care unit (ICU) and may stay in the hospital for two to eight weeks. Hospital staff will help you gradually increase your activity to get stronger. You can start a cardiac rehabilitation program. Your medical team will watch closely for signs of infection. To avoid infection, it is important to practice good hygiene, obtain routine vaccines, and properly clean and care for your device and the hole in your abdomen. You will be instructed on what to do if the device warns you that it is not working properly. If you are on the waiting list for a heart transplant, you will remain in close contact with the transplant center.

Getting a VAD carries serious risks such as blood clots and bleeding during surgery or caused by the anticoagulants. Other risks include infection, device malfunction, and right side heart failure if a left VAD was used. Because blood tends to clot more when you come into contact with the VAD, you will likely need to use anti-caking agents while you have the device. It is important to take your medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor to prevent blood clots.