Not an expert, but from reading what an LVAD is and reading the article, these are two very different things. He had a full heart replacement device strapped to

Not an expert, but from reading what an LVAD is and reading the article, these are two very different things. He had a full heart replacement device strapped to his back. As in, the blood ran out one tube, into the pack, then back into his body. An LVAD is an internal pump for the left side of the heart and you just provide it power externally. Not to discount your girlfriends experience at all, but that seem quite different. EDIT: Actually, watching a video, it looks like the tubes are for air maybe? Weird device in any case.