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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See all Example Sentences for ventricular assist device 

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 21 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

ventricular assist device

noun
ventricular as·​sist device -ə-ˈsist- How to pronounce ventricular assist device (audio)
: 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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!