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ventricular assist device
noun
: a device that is implanted in the chest or upper abdomen to assist the left or right ventricle in pumping blood in a damaged or weakened heart
called also VAD
Examples of ventricular assist device in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Those with severe heart failure may consider a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), which helps pump blood throughout the body.
—Lambeth Hochwald, Health, 3 May 2024
On April 4, surgeons implanted the heart pump, a device called a left ventricular assist device or LVAD.
—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024
The transplant surgery took place on April 12, eight days after the heart pump, called a left ventricular assist device, or LVAD, was implanted on April 4.
—Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2024
The first, on April 4, involved the surgical insertion of a device called a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), which helps pump blood from the lower left heart chamber to the rest of the body.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2024
In the first, surgeons implanted the heart pump, a device called a left ventricular assist device, to replace the function of her failing heart.
—Emily Mullin, WIRED, 24 Apr. 2024
As Jamie Mahaffey awaits a life-saving donation, a GoFundMe page has been established to help with the costs with his left ventricular assist device (LVAD) as well as his ongoing wait for a heart transplant.
—The Enquirer, 19 Jan. 2024
Known as a left ventricular assist device, the HeartMate 3 helps the main pumping chamber of the heart pump blood to the rest of the body.
—Daniel Chang, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2023
Just for subscribers: A man's heart one of few to improve with left ventricular assist device.
—USA TODAY, 11 July 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ventricular assist device.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1970, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of ventricular assist device was
in 1970
Dictionary Entries Near ventricular assist device
Cite this Entry
“Ventricular assist device.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ventricular%20assist%20device. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Medical Definition
ventricular assist device
noun
ventricular as·sist device
-ə-ˈsist-
: a device that is implanted in the chest or upper abdomen to assist the left or right ventricle in pumping blood in a damaged or weakened heart
Researchers found that pumps known as ventricular assist devices, which are implanted without removing the patient's heart, were superior to drug therapy among the sickest patients.—Lawrence K. Altman, The New York Times
called also VAD
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