I am 72 yrs. old and have had a LVAD for over 2 years. It is a Heart Mate II and thus far it has operated perfectly. Approximately 6 months after I received this unit the FDA approved it as a "destination therapy" if the patient so chooses. I was not having any of the rejection problems associated with heart transplant and also the likelihood of receiving a viable heart at my age and blood type O. I had already had an 11 hour open heart surgery, the LVAD implantation surgery, ablations on two separate ocassions, pacemaker/defibrillator implanted, etc and I just couldn't justify another open heart surgery. Also, I subscribe to the old Chinese proverb: "You get to pull the dragon's tail only so many times". I wake up every morning and thank whom ever, what ever has brought me to this point in my life.