For the 60 million people around the world suffering from heart failure, a heart transplant is most often not an option. While implantable pumps called left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are a promising new treatment option for this life-threatening condition, they have a high rate of associated complications. In fact, 4 out of 5 patients develop severe complications such as bleeding or strokes within 2 years after LVAD implantation.