cardiac assist device; ventricular assist device

Diagnostic procedures

• echocardiography to evaluate ventricular assist device performance

Management

• cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
  • most current mechanical support devices are continuous-flow; thus, a palpable pulse will be absent
  • blood pressure (BP) measurement can be difficult
    • automated BP cuffs accurately assess BP in ~50%
    • a manual sphygmomanometer & a Doppler ultrasound probe may be useful
  • most common causes of ventricular assist device pump failure
    • disconnection of the power
      • check the power suppy & connections
      • transport patients with their backup power supplies because receiving hospitals may lack that equipment
    • failure of the driveline
  • CPR for mean arterial pressure <= 50 mm Hg*
  • patients in ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation may still have adequate perfusion & be conscious
    • these patients should not receive CPR

* mean arterial pressure >= 50 mm Hg may be needed to maintain consciousness

More general terms

• device (medical device)

More specific terms

• left ventricular assist device (LVAD)
• right heart pump (Impella RP System)