Ventricular Assist Device Clinic
This clinic sees patients who have been referred for a VAD (for work up and assessment) and post VAD insertion for follow up reviews.
Clinical service overview
A Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) is an electronically powered mechanical pump which provides partial (LVAD or RVAD) or total (BiVAD) circulatory assistance when the natural heart, with conventional heart failure therapy, is unable to maintain adequate circulation to perfuse vital organs. The patient’s native heart remains insitu and assists blood flow into the pump.
This therapy is expensive and evolving. VAD’s have improved significantly in terms of providing improved survival and quality of life among recipients.
There are two types of VAD’s used at The Alfred: The HeartWare HVAD and the HeartMateII VAD. The Alfred is a trial site for the HeartmateIII which commenced in 2014. Both devices have similar profiles, functions, components and require routine monitoring.
Refer your patient
Internal referrals only
Your patient must speak with their treating Alfred Health unit (doctor, nurse or allied health practitioner). This team member can then refer the patient to the clinic to make an appointment.
Clinic times
| Day | Campus | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | The Alfred | 9.00am - 12.00pm |
| Tuesday | The Alfred | 9.00am - 12.00pm |
| Wednesday | The Alfred | 9.00am - 12.00pm |
| Thursday | The Alfred | 9.00am - 12.00pm |
| Friday | The Alfred | 9.00am - 12.00pm |
Clinic consultants
- Prof Silvana Marasco: Cardiothoracic Surgery & Transplantation
- Prof David McGiffin: Cardiothoracic Surgery & Transplantation
- Dr Peter Bergin: Cardiology
- Mr Adam Zimmet: Cardiothoracic Surgery & Transplantation