KARACHI: The governing body of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) has approved, in principle, the establishment of an Advanced Heart Failure Programme using Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) technology and authorised preparations for a future heart transplant programme.
The decisions were taken during the NICVD governing body’s 85th meeting, chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. He directed the institute to seek technical assistance, training and capacity-building support from leading national and international institutions.
The LVAD programme is expected to strengthen treatment options for patients suffering from advanced heart failure. NICVD already provides LVAD-related care, with the device potentially serving as long-term support for eligible patients, including those waiting for heart transplantation.
The meeting also reviewed NICVD’s performance. During 2025, the institute carried out 9,279 primary PCI procedures, 18,875 angiographies, 88,165 echocardiography examinations and more than 1,400 cardiac surgeries. It also provided hundreds of thousands of emergency and outpatient consultations.
Officials said more than 1.32 million patients from across Pakistan and other regions received treatment at NICVD facilities between 2019 and 2025.
The development marks a significant step toward expanding advanced cardiac care in Pakistan, particularly for patients with severe heart failure who may require mechanical circulatory support or, in the future, heart transplantation.
