Question

"A total artificial heart (TAH) is an electrically powered pump that circulates blood into the pulmonary artery and the aorta, thus replacing the functions of both the right and left ventricles. What makes it different from an LVAD

Answer 1

a) It never needs batteries.

b) It's designed for extremely active patients.

c) It's specifically designed for long-term use.

d) An LVAD only supports a failing left ventricle.

Answer:

d) An LVAD only supports a failing left ventricle.

Explanation:

When both halves (R.&L Ventricles) of the heart  failed to pump blood, together with the failure of the valves  to regulate blood flow as  in biventricular failure, a device can planted  in the patient to replace the failed right or let ventricles and to control the  directional flow of blood to the vascular system. This device is called TAH.

However when the left ventricle is faulty so that blood pump into the systemic circulation is affected in case of a patient who is waiting for heart transplants not old enough for transplants; who needs to sustain heart function after surgery; or patients  who could not find a  heart donor and therefore need to survive, a mechanical pump is implanted below the diaphragm and power by battery cell in a wearable outside. This miniature mechanical  pump is called Left venticular  assist device(LVAD).It only correct left ventricle anomaly .

Thus the major difference between the two is that LVAD, is only for the  faulty left Ventricle correction.