What type of medical device is used to assist a failing heart?

A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is specifically designed to assist a failing heart by helping it pump blood more effectively. This device is typically used in patients who are experiencing severe heart failure and who may not be candidates for a heart transplant. The LVAD works by taking blood from the left ventricle and pumping it to the aorta, thereby increasing blood flow and relieving some of the workload on the heart.

While a stent is used to open narrowed blood vessels, and a defibrillator's primary function is to restore a normal heart rhythm in cases of arrhythmia, these devices do not provide the ongoing support that an LVAD offers to a failing heart. A cardiac pump could be a generic term that refers to devices designed to assist heart function, but it does not specifically denote the advanced level of assistance and support provided by an LVAD. This makes the LVAD the most appropriate choice for the scenario presented.