RVAD

right ventricular assist device

A right ventricular assist device (RVAD) pumps blood from the right ventricle or right atrium into the pulmonary artery and to the lungs.

A ventricular assist device stabilizes the heart function after injury, such as a heart attack. It’s also used after severe heart failure that does not improve with medicines. It can also keep a heart working while waiting for a heart transplant. For most people, an RVAD is temporary.