What is the average life expectancy of having a left ventricular assist device?

Depends: It depends on the type of device (the newer devices heartmate ii and heartware) have longer life expectancies and fewer complications than 1st generation lvads. If an lvad is placed as destination therapy people have lived as long as 7 years without having device replace or a complication...However this is the exception no the rule. Newer devices quote averages of about 5 years.

Very complicated: The one month survival is 99% there is a 6% complication rate. Beyond one month, stable patients tend to remain stable. The longer the lvad is in place, the greater the risk is, of course, of complications.

Depends: When a person needs a vad, life expectancy without it is short unless the VAD is placed. It all depends on the indication for the vad, the status of the other ventricle and the lungs and if it is a bridge to transplant or destination therapy, or a bridge to a bridge to transplant. The 5 year survival for a heart transplant is about 70%.Vad recipients may suffer complications like stroke, bleeding, .