VADs are mechanical devices that support the lower left heart
chamber (left ventricular assist devices, or LVADs), the lower
right heart chamber (right ventricular assist devices, or RVADs)
or both lower heart chambers (biventricular assist devices, or
BIVADs).  Your doctor may recommend you have a VAD implanted if:
• You're waiting for a heart transplant. You may have a VAD
implanted temporarily while you wait for a donor heart to become
available. A VAD can keep blood pumping despite a diseased heart
and will be removed when your new heart is implanted. When a VAD
is implanted while you're waiting for a heart transplant, it's
referred to as a "bridge to transplant."   • Your heart's
function can become normal again. If your heart failure is
temporary, your doctor may recommend implanting a VAD until your
heart is healthy enough to pump blood on its own again. It's
also possible you'll have a VAD implanted for a short time if
you're recovering from heart surgery. You may have a VAD
implanted for only a fe