Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) and Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS)

Top-ranked Scripps LVAD surgery in San Diego

A male doctor and female nurse care for a mature female heart patient, representing LVAD and MCS at Scripps Health.

Dr. Sam Baradarian, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Scripps Health

Top-ranked Scripps LVAD surgery in San Diego

Scripps offers patients access to advanced mechanical circulatory support (MCS) options, including left ventricular assist device implants (LVAD), for the treatment of heart failure by the region’s top cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons.


The Scripps LVAD program has earned the highest accreditation from The Joint Commission with the Gold Seal of Approval and Advanced Certification. Scripps is also ranked among the best in nation for cardiology and heart surgery by U.S. News & World Report.

Learn about types of heart pumps and LVAD surgery below. You’ll also learn answers to common questions on our FAQ page.

What is an LVAD?

A left ventricular assist device, or LVAD, is a type of mechanical circulatory support device. It works by pumping oxygen-rich blood from the heart’s left ventricle to the aorta, through which it circulates throughout the body.

How LVAD works

A thin cord called a driveline runs from the LVAD motor through a tiny opening in the skin and connects to the controller and batteries outside the patient’s body. LVAD batteries are recharged nightly when plugged into a wall power source. The mechanical device has three primary components:


  • A mechanical pump with an inflow and outflow cannula (tube)
  • A system controller
  • A pair of batteries


LVADs serve patients in several ways:


  • As a bridge to heart transplant surgery
  • As destination therapy (permanent treatment usually when heart transplant is not an option)
  • As a bridge to decision (heart transplant or permanent LVAD implantation)
  • As a bridge to recovery (LVAD is removed once the heart regains adequate contractile strength and can support the body’s needs)


What to expect after LVAD surgery

After LVAD surgery is complete, most patients generally spend three to five days recovering in the state-of-the-art intensive care unit (ICU) at Prebys Cardiovascular Institute, and then move to a regular hospital room until fully recovered.


During this time, our physical and occupational therapists and dietitians will work with you to speed up your recovery process. We will continue to educate you and your care partner about caring for the LVAD, and your care partner will participate in driveline dressing changes with the LVAD coordinator.


You will follow up in the LVAD clinic for your care. You will continue to see your regular cardiologist as well. In addition, most patients will attend a cardiac rehabilitation program, where you can exercise and build strength in a medically supervised setting.

Types of mechanical circulatory support devices

Scripps offers several short-term and long-term heart pumps for people with advanced heart failure and cardiogenic shock. These include:


  • Heartmate 3 — The only long-term LVAD approved by the FDA. It is a continuous flow, centrifugal pump implanted into the left ventricle. Can be used as bridge to transplant or destination therapy
  • Impella (CP, 5.5, RP) — A suite of temporary devices that can be placed in a minimally invasive procedure in the cardiac cath lab. The patient stays in the hospital while this device is in.
  • Tandem Heart — A temporary device that can be placed in a minimally invasive procedure in the cardiac cath lab. The patient stays in the hospital while the device is in.
  • ProtekDuo — A temporary device that can be placed in a minimally invasive procedure in the cardiac cath lab. The patient stays in the hospital while the device is in. 
  • Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) — A temporary pump that provides both circulatory support and oxygenation for patient in shock. Learn more about ECMO.

Why choose Scripps for your LVAD and MCS Services?

The experienced teams of cardiologists and surgeons at Scripps who perform LVAD and MCS device implant surgeries have completed hundreds of successful procedures for patients from across San Diego and the western US. The team also actively participates in clinical trials for advancements in this area of specialized heart care.

Research and clinical trials

Scripps cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons are experts in heart failure and have helped advance this specialized field. Scripps physicians are nationally recognized leaders and serve on several national panels and committees dedicated to heart failure and its treatment with MCS/LVAD. Our physicians are involved in clinical trials that hold the promise of greater advancements in heart care. See Scripps clinical trials that are currently recruiting.

Clinical outcomes

Scripps patients implanted with an LVAD do well because of the quality and coordination of care they receive from the LVAD team. Our team meets or exceeds all national standards in LVAD outcomes. Our cardiac surgeons and cardiologists participate in regular patient status checks — with intensive care physicians, pharmacists, nurses and nurse practitioners, nutritionists and physical therapists — to ensure the highest-quality care and positive clinical outcomes.

Our cardiovascular care hospital in San Diego

Prebys Cardiovascular Institute is ushering in a new era of heart care that includes dedicated units for heart failure patients and trained multidisciplinary teams of case managers, social workers, financial coordinators, dietitians, pharmacists, research coordinators and palliative care experts to support doctors and nurses in caring for our patients. LVAD implant surgeries are performed in the state-of-the-art operating suites at Prebys Cardiovascular Institute.

Multidisciplinary LVAD experts

The Scripps LVAD program is staffed by an experienced team of cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons who have performed hundreds of successful LVAD and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) implants for patients from across San Diego and throughout the Western US.


The MCS/LVAD clinical team includes the following specialists.


Board-certified heart failure and transplant cardiologists

Our heart failure and transplant cardiologists specialize in caring for patients with decreased heart function. Your cardiologist will thoroughly evaluate your health and work with your care team to develop your personalized treatment plan.



Cardiothoracic/LVAD surgeons

In addition to performing your LVAD implant surgery, your cardiothoracic/LVAD surgeon will talk to you and your family about what to expect during and after surgery and answer your questions.


Your LVAD extended care team

Your LVAD implant surgery will be performed in the state-of-the-art operating suites at Prebys Cardiovascular Institute. Your care team at the Institute includes: 


  • Heart failure/MCS advanced practice providers
  • LVAD nurse coordinator
  • Case managers
  • Social workers
  • Financial coordinators
  • Dietitians
  • Pharmacists
  • Palliative care experts
  • Psychiatrists
  • Physical and occupational therapists


LVAD resources

You may find these resources helpful in learning more about the LVAD treatment option:


• American Heart Association

• MyLVAD