UC Davis12.29.15
UC Davis Medical Center has earned certification from The Joint Commission for its left ventricular assist device (LVAD) program, which offers a technological approach to treating advanced heart failure.
The LVAD is a mechanical pump that takes over some of the work of the heart, restoring blood flow and oxygen levels. The device is surgically implanted below the diaphragm and attached to the left ventricle and aorta, and then powered by two external batteries carried in underarm holsters or waist packs.
Aside from LVAD, there are few options besides heart transplant for patients with end-stage heart failure, a progressive condition that can be caused by heart attacks, long-term high blood pressure, valve defects or genetic conditions. The result is the heart’s inability to pump enough blood to meet the body’s demands, causing weakness, fluid buildup and fatigue.
In achieving the certification, UC Davis’ cardiovascular medicine and cardiothoracic surgery teams underwent a rigorous on-site review for compliance with The Joint Commission’s disease-specific standards for clinical practice, performance, facilities, staffing and volume.
“This recognition indicates the culture of excellence we have created for providing complete, compassionate state-of-the-art cardiovascular care,” said J. Douglas Kirk, chief medical officer for UC Davis Medical Center. “It’s also an important indicator of our deep commitment to offering advanced therapies for improving the lives of patients with heart failure.”
The LVAD is a mechanical pump that takes over some of the work of the heart, restoring blood flow and oxygen levels. The device is surgically implanted below the diaphragm and attached to the left ventricle and aorta, and then powered by two external batteries carried in underarm holsters or waist packs.
Aside from LVAD, there are few options besides heart transplant for patients with end-stage heart failure, a progressive condition that can be caused by heart attacks, long-term high blood pressure, valve defects or genetic conditions. The result is the heart’s inability to pump enough blood to meet the body’s demands, causing weakness, fluid buildup and fatigue.
In achieving the certification, UC Davis’ cardiovascular medicine and cardiothoracic surgery teams underwent a rigorous on-site review for compliance with The Joint Commission’s disease-specific standards for clinical practice, performance, facilities, staffing and volume.
“This recognition indicates the culture of excellence we have created for providing complete, compassionate state-of-the-art cardiovascular care,” said J. Douglas Kirk, chief medical officer for UC Davis Medical Center. “It’s also an important indicator of our deep commitment to offering advanced therapies for improving the lives of patients with heart failure.”