HeartMate 3 Accessories and Supplies: A Practical Checklist

Living with a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) means carrying and caring for equipment every day. This checklist covers the main kinds of LVAD equipment and supplies, which ones come from your VAD team, and the accessories that can make daily life easier.

Equipment from Your VAD Team

The parts of your LVAD system come through your implant center and the device manufacturer. They include:

• Power
  • Batteries and battery clips
  • The battery charger
  • The power unit you connect to at home
• Controller
  • Your system controller
  • A backup controller

Daily Care Supplies

Driveline dressing changes and other daily care follow a routine set by your VAD team. They will tell you which supplies to use and where to get them, such as:

• Sterile dressing kits
• Medical tape and gauze
• A driveline anchor to keep the cable from pulling

Carrying and Clothing Accessories

Accessories do not replace any part of your system, but they change how it feels to carry it:

• Clothing with built-in pockets
  • Shirts and tank tops that hold the controller and batteries
  • Shorts and leggings with battery pockets
• Carrying gear
  • Vests, holsters and belts
  • Bags for spare batteries and the backup controller
  • Shower bags and covers (check with your VAD team which ones suit your device)

Genki Garb makes LVAD shirts, tank tops, shorts and leggings with pockets for a HeartMate controller and batteries. Our guide to LVAD carrying gear compares vests, belts, bags and clothing.

Paying with HSA or FSA Funds

Whether an item qualifies for Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account funds depends on your plan. Check with your plan administrator before you buy, and keep your receipts.

Conclusion

Your VAD team is the authority on your equipment and supplies. Accessories and clothing are where you have more choice, so pick what makes daily life easier. For more on power and charging, see our LVAD battery guide.