A ventricular assist device (VAD) is a device that helps pump blood from the lower chambers of the heart to the rest of the body. It’s a treatment for a weakened heart or heart failure. A VAD may be used to help the heart work while waiting for other treatments, such as a heart transplant. Sometimes a VAD is used to permanently help the heart pump blood.

Another name for a VAD is a durable mechanical circulatory support device.

A VAD is most frequently placed in the left lower heart chamber, called the left ventricle. When placed in the left ventricle, it’s called a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

Current LVADs provide a constant flow of blood from the heart to the body. They also are called continuous flow devices.

Getting an LVAD often requires open-heart surgery and has serious risks. However, an LVAD can be lifesaving if you have severe heart failure.