Former Vice President Richard B. Cheney

Cheney has heart pump surgically installed; former VP's latest cardiac issue

By Michael D. Shear and David Brown

Wednesday, July 14, 2010; 6:11 PM

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/14/AR2010071404430.html

Former vice president Richard B. Cheney, who has long suffered with cardiac issues, underwent surgery last week to have a pump implanted into his heart, he announced Wednesday.

"I decided to take advantage of one of the new technologies available and have a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implanted," Cheney said in a statement. "The LVAD is a small implantable pump that improves heart function and will enable me to resume an active life."