Left ventricular assist device
Left ventricular assist device has been studied in 19 papers since 2017: 12 observational studies in people, 7 reviews; 7 in the past year. The newest paper, Nov 3, 2026: “Cardioprotection and Heart Failure Management in Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophies: A State-of-the-Art Review Across Pediatric and Transitional Age”.
19 papers study it8 findingsUpdated
2 new papers in 30 daysSee all 19 papers on left ventricular assist device
At a glance
Independent labs found the same change in people. 5 independent labs in 1 country.
“Black patients were more likely to be treated with a left ventricular assist device (P = 0.010)”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 5 independent labs in 1 country
- Funders: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and 4 more
- 2 of 7 findings with company ties
- Humans12
What did studies of left ventricular assist device find?
6Studies of left ventricular assist device measured 6 outcomes, among them frailty, cardiac function and survival.
Frailty
downin humans2
2 studies
Frailty
downin humans2
Left ventricular assist device is linked with lower frailty in humans (end-stage heart failure) (nearly half).
“Physical frailty was reduced by nearly half at 12 months.”
Humansend-stage heart failure12 monthsn = 46
The Journal of cardiovascular nursing
Left ventricular assist device is linked with lower frailty in 19 subjects with serial frailty measures (Fried frailty criteria 3.9 ± 0.9 to 2.8 ± 1.4 at 6 months, P = .003).
“the average number of frailty criteria decreased from 3.9 ± 0.9 at baseline to 2.8 ± 1.4 at 6 months (P = .003)”
Humansin 19 subjects with serial frailty measures6 monthsn = 19
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Cardiac function
upin reviews1
1 study
Cardiac function
upin reviews1
Left ventricular assist device improves cardiac function during ex vivo heart perfusion.
“LVAD mode was associated with significantly better cardiac function than the resting and working mode.”
Reviewduring ex vivo heart perfusionheart
Journal of artificial organs : the official journal of the Japanese Society for Artificial Organs
Survival
upin humans1
1 study
Survival
upin humans1
Left ventricular assist device is linked with better survival in humans (1-year survival: 80.6%, 5-year survival: 51.1%).
“A focus on the subgroup of patients aged ≥65 years demonstrates excellent outcomes with respect to survival (1-year survival: 80.6%, 5-year survival: 51.1%)”
Humans
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Intermacs 2025 Annual Report: Focus on Outcomes in Older Adults
The Annals of thoracic surgery
Depressive symptoms
downin humans1
1 study
Depressive symptoms
downin humans1
Left ventricular assist device is linked with lower depressive symptoms in humans (end-stage heart failure) (P < .001).
“Frailty, depression, and QoL significantly improved at all time points ( P < .001).”
Humansend-stage heart failure12 monthsn = 46
The Journal of cardiovascular nursing
Quality of life
upin humans1
1 study
Quality of life
upin humans1
Left ventricular assist device is linked with better quality of life in humans (post-LVAD) (40 to 75, P < 0.001).
“quality of life improved from 40 (IQR: 15-60) to 75 (IQR: 60-90) (P < 0.001) after LVAD in all age groups.”
Humanspost-LVAD
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
6-minute walk distance
upin humans1
1 study
6-minute walk distance
upin humans1
Left ventricular assist device is linked with better 6-minute walk distance in humans (post-LVAD) (0 feet to 1,065 feet, P < 0.001).
“Median 6-minute walk distance increased from 0 feet (IQR: 0-665 feet) to 1,065 feet (IQR: 642-1,313 feet) (P < 0.001)”
Humanspost-LVAD
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
What is left ventricular assist device linked with?
1Studies link left ventricular assist device with Black race.
Black race
upin humans1
1 study
Black race
upin humans1
Black race is associated with left ventricular assist device in humans (compared with White patients) (P = 0.010).
“Black patients were more likely to be treated with a left ventricular assist device (P = 0.010)”
Humanscompared with White patients
Advanced Heart Failure Characteristics and Outcomes in Commercially Insured U.S. Adults
JACC. Heart failure
Funding
1 grant since 2023National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute$2.1M