Ventricular assist device surgeons at RUSH provide services for both temporary support and destination therapy for patients with weak hearts and advanced heart failure. They perform more LVAD implants than anyone in the Midwest, and RUSH University Medical Center’s 30-day heart failure survival rates are the highest in the country, according to data from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Our providers have trained at some of the highest-volume VAD centers in the area, served as experts on prestigious panels and have been involved in the International Consortium of Circulatory Assist Clinicians. They are educators and work with DNP students at RUSH University’s College of Nursing to create quality improvement projects that advance the VAD program and promote better patient outcomes.
Our heart failure care team makes it a priority to keep both patients and referring physicians involved in the planning of treatment. They empower patients through extensive education on their procedures, carefully explaining through visual and tactile demonstrations how the VAD functions and what they can expect before, during and after surgery. Through individualized, patient-centered care plans, they not only achieve excellent outcomes, but also improve patients’ quality of life. They collaborate closely with referring physicians on each step of patient care. You and your patient can expect prompt, personal communication from the team.
Who Are Ideal Candidates for VAD Surgery at RUSH?
Patients who’ve undergone other methods of heart failure treatment that have not been successful may be eligible for VAD surgery. Our advanced heart failure care team will perform an evaluation to see if your patient meets the criteria.
Even if you think your patient may not qualify for VAD surgery, our team recommends referring them to RUSH early so we can address any barriers to care and provide resources that patients may not find at other medical centers.
Our team can provide temporary VAD support for patients who are awaiting heart transplantation, or long-term destination therapy for those who may not qualify or choose not to undergo heart transplantation.
Why Refer Patients Here?
- Nationally recognized clinical care: U.S. News & World Report includes RUSH University Medical Center on its 2023-24 Best Hospitals Honor Roll and ranks the RUSH cardiology, heart and vascular surgery program No. 15 in the nation.
- High volumes, excellent outcomes: Our surgeons implant the most LVADs in the Midwest. RUSH patients’ current 30-day survival rate post implant is 100%, well above the national average of 94%, and their one-year survival rate post implant is 96%, above the national average of 82%.
- Improved quality of life: Within six months of VAD implant, 94% of patients report an improvement in quality of life based on the KCCQ and see an increase in functional capacity.
- A team approach: Each RUSH VAD surgery patient has a team that includes patient navigators and coordinators who take care of scheduling appointments and follow-up care. They also meet with psychologists, who can provide coping skills, social workers and palliative care specialists.
- Personal communication for physicians and patients: The VAD surgery team at RUSH keeps referring physicians updated on their patients’ condition at every step of treatment and strongly relies on them for collaborative planning of care. Patients also have a direct line of contact with their RUSH providers rather than a paging system, allowing for immediate response time to address any concerns.
What Is the Process for Referring a Patient?
To refer a patient to RUSH, call our Provider Express Line at (312) 947-4725. Visit our page on Referring and Transferring Patients for more details and to find a provider referral form.
All patients referred to RUSH for VAD surgery are prioritized and scheduled for an appointment within seven days of contact, and most are scheduled within two days.
Types of VAD Offered
- Left ventricular assist device (LVAD)
- Right ventricular assist device (RVAD)
- BIVAD
