Heart with intertwined arteries, one glowing brightly with a mechanical pump

Living with a Repaired Heart: How VADs are Changing Lives After Corrected Transposition of Great Arteries

Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) offer hope and improved quality of life for patients with corrected transposition of great arteries, overcoming heart failure challenges."

Heart failure is a serious condition where the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. While Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) are commonly used to support the left ventricle, their application in the right ventricle presents unique challenges. This is because the right ventricle has a thinner wall and different pressure dynamics compared to the left ventricle.

Corrected transposition of the great arteries (CC-TGA) is a rare congenital heart defect where the heart's main arteries are reversed. Over time, this condition can lead to systemic ventricular failure, requiring advanced interventions like VADs. While implanting and managing VADs in these patients can be challenging, it offers hope for improved heart function and quality of life.

This article explores a case study where a 61-year-old patient with CC-TGA and end-stage heart failure received a Jarvik 2000 VAD implanted in the anatomical right ventricle. We'll delve into the considerations, management strategies, and outcomes of this innovative approach.

Understanding VADs and Their Role in Corrected Transposition of Great Arteries

Heart with intertwined arteries, one glowing brightly with a mechanical pump

Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) are mechanical pumps that support heart function in patients with heart failure. They can be used as a bridge to heart transplantation or as a destination therapy for patients who are not candidates for transplantation.

In CC-TGA, the systemic ventricle, which is structurally the right ventricle, faces equivalent afterload to a normal left ventricle. This unique situation requires careful management when implanting a VAD. Some key considerations include:

Careful Patient Selection: Identifying suitable candidates with CC-TGA who would benefit from VAD support.
Preoperative Planning: Thorough assessment of heart anatomy and function to determine the optimal VAD implantation strategy.
Surgical Expertise: Performing the VAD implantation procedure with precision and attention to detail.
Postoperative Management: Close monitoring and adjustment of VAD parameters to optimize heart function and prevent complications.

In the case study, the patient's VAD was carefully managed through echocardiogram ramp studies and blood pressure control. This approach allowed for optimized pump speed and flow while minimizing the risk of suction events and maintaining biventricular geometry.

Looking Ahead: The Future of VAD Therapy in Complex Heart Conditions

While VAD therapy has shown promise in patients with CC-TGA and heart failure, further research is needed to optimize implantation techniques, management strategies, and long-term outcomes. As technology advances and clinical experience grows, VADs may play an increasingly important role in improving the lives of individuals with complex heart conditions.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4172/2329-6925.1000349, Alternate LINK

Title: Jarvik 2000 Implantation In Anatomical Right Ventricle On Patient With Corrected Transposition Of Great Arteries

Subject: Cell Biology

Journal: Journal of Vascular Medicine & Surgery

Publisher: OMICS Publishing Group

Authors: Akiko Mano, Takashi Nishimura, Tomohiro Murata, Mitsuhiro Kawata, Jun Tanaka, Kazuhiro Takeda, Jyoji Ishikawa, Hajime Fujimoto, Kazumasa Harada, Shunei Kyo

Published: 2017-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (CC-TGA), and why does it lead to heart failure?

Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (CC-TGA) is a rare congenital heart defect where the heart's main arteries are reversed. This means the aorta, which carries blood to the body, originates from the right ventricle, and the pulmonary artery, which carries blood to the lungs, originates from the left ventricle. Over time, the systemic ventricle, which is structurally the right ventricle in CC-TGA, faces the same workload as a normal left ventricle. This increased workload can lead to systemic ventricular failure, where the heart muscle weakens and struggles to pump blood effectively, causing heart failure.

How do Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) help patients with CC-TGA and heart failure?

Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) are mechanical pumps that support heart function in patients experiencing heart failure. In the context of Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (CC-TGA), VADs can be implanted to assist the failing right ventricle. By taking over some of the pumping workload, the VAD improves blood flow, relieves the strain on the heart, and improves the patient's quality of life. This allows the damaged heart to rest and potentially recover, or it can serve as a bridge to heart transplantation.

What are the main challenges of using a VAD in the right ventricle for someone with CC-TGA?

The primary challenges when using a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) in the right ventricle for patients with Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (CC-TGA) stem from the right ventricle's structure and function. The right ventricle has a thinner wall and operates at lower pressures compared to the left ventricle. This makes the implantation and management of a VAD in the right ventricle more complex. Careful patient selection, preoperative planning, surgical expertise, and postoperative management are all critical to ensure the VAD functions effectively and minimizes complications like suction events.

What specific considerations are involved in managing a VAD in a patient with CC-TGA?

Managing a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) in a patient with Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (CC-TGA) requires a multifaceted approach. Careful patient selection is the first step, identifying those most likely to benefit from VAD support. Preoperative planning involves a detailed assessment of the heart's anatomy and function to determine the best implantation strategy. Surgical expertise is crucial for precise VAD placement. Postoperative management includes close monitoring and adjustment of VAD parameters, such as pump speed and blood pressure, to optimize heart function and minimize the risk of complications. Techniques like echocardiogram ramp studies and blood pressure control help optimize pump performance and maintain the heart's geometry.

What is the potential future of VAD therapy for patients with complex heart conditions like CC-TGA?

The future of Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) therapy for patients with complex heart conditions such as Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries (CC-TGA) looks promising. As technology continues to advance, and clinical experience grows, we can expect improvements in implantation techniques, management strategies, and long-term outcomes. Further research is needed, but VADs are likely to play an increasingly significant role in improving the lives of individuals with challenging heart conditions, potentially serving as a bridge to transplant or as a long-term destination therapy, offering a chance for improved heart function and quality of life.