隨著科技的進步，左心室輔助器的適應症增加，成為心臟衰竭病人的另外一種治療選擇，大幅增
加了心臟衰竭病人的存活率。使用左心室輔助器的病人以等待、過渡到心臟移植者最為常見，一
些不符合心臟移植條件的病人，可長期使用輔助器以支持心臟功能，還有一些可逆性心臟疾患則
可暫時使用左心室輔助器，待心臟功能恢復後，再將之移除。左心室輔助器有助於改善病人的心
臟功能、身體功能、運動表現和生活品質。病人使用左心室輔助器期間，治療師可提供功能訓
練的復健計畫和進一步的運動訓練，以改善病人周邊組織對氧的使用，增加最大攝氧量和運動能
力。本文概述左心室輔助器的適應症、常見的種類、併發症、預後，同時介紹病患使用左心室輔
助器前後的運動生理反應、運動能力以及運動訓練的效果。（物理治療 2009;34(4):253-263）

Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) have been used to support patients with heart failure (HF) and effectively increase their survival. LVAD has become a treatment option for HF patients as a bridge-to-transplant, bridge-to-recovery, or destination therapy. LVAD implantation has positive
impact on patients’ heart function, physical function, exercise performance and quality of life. Physical therapists can assist patients with LVAD support in functional training and exercise based rehabilitation program to further improve their exercise capacity and peak oxygen consumption through increased peripheral utilization of oxygen. This article briefly reviewed the indication, common types of LVAD, complications, and prognosis after implantation. Exercise physiology, exercise capacity, and effects of exercise training in patients with LVAD support were also described and summarized. (FJPT 2009;34(4):253-263)