More than six million people worldwide are affected by severe heart failure. A heart pump or LVAD, short for Left Ventricular Assist Device, can then be life-saving. This is a small pump that transports blood from the left ventricle into the aorta and thus into the systemic circulation. When pharmacological therapy is exhausted, this path remains the only alternative to a heart transplant.

How does HeartGate work?

Conventionally, the heart is stopped for the implantation of a heart pump, and heart function is temporarily taken over by a heart-lung machine – a complex, stressful procedure. HeartGate wants to change this: a special implantation set consisting of a punch and sheath allows for so-called off-pump LVAD implantation without a heart-lung machine. While the punch can be used to create a hole in the heart wall for inserting the LVAD, the sheath prevents blood from escaping. 

A gentler procedure with fewer complications

This means the sternum no longer needs to be opened, patients potentially lose less blood intraoperatively, and surgery time is shortened. Furthermore, it is expected that fewer postoperative complications will occur and that stays in intensive care and hospital will be reduced. Patients with a high surgical risk could benefit in particular.

The set is compatible with various LVAD systems. An interdisciplinary team is working on its certification as a medical device – with the aim of making LVAD implantation safer, faster and accessible to more patients.

More on funded GO-Bio projects on the overview page