EMS Care Chapter 13 | Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)

EMS Care Chapter 13 | Left Ventricular Assist Device | LVAD Training begins with an introduction to the care of the subject. We subsequently explore the care of the LVAD Patient in-depth with the following lessons:

1. Left Ventricular Assist Devices
2. LVAD Functionality
3. Status, Alarms, Actions
4. LVAD Patient Assessment
5. Controls for Different LVADs

Caring for the LVAD Patient | LVAD Training

We cover the following core concepts

• First, what is an LVAD and why is it used.
• Next, is how to assess an LVAD patient.
• Number three is to understand how an LVAD works.
• Fourth is how to evaluate an LVAD device, and manage malfunctions if needed.
• Number 5 is the immediate information you need to gather on the scene. So, in case you need to call for ALS and the Type of Advanced Life Support you may require
• Finally, you will review the Generation 2 and 3, LVAD devices you may encounter.

Important Notes:

• If you only want to take the Left Ventricular Assist Device online course for CME credit, you can pay here.  The fee for online-only does NOT include a skills session nor (re)certification.  You will receive a certificate for CME credit after successful completion of the course.
• This course is part of the EMT Recertification Day 5 curriculum and the New Initial EMT Course.  Hence, if you sign up for one of those courses, you will be automatically enrolled in this course. Click here for scheduled courses.
• To get credit for this course, you must watch all the lessons in their entirety, the course review, and pass the quiz at the end with a score of 75% or better.

An Excerpt from the course on Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)

LVADs are life-saving devices for patients with end-stage cardiac disease. Additionally, they offer an intermediate to a long-term solution for those with heart failure. What’s more, they are most commonly used as bridge-to-cardiac transplantation or as destination therapy. While the structure and function of these devices have evolved with time.  However,  further developments and advances in this field should help to further reduce the mortality rates from advanced heart failure.

The HeartMate II, the HeartMate III, and the HeartWare, are three current and more popular FDA-approved assist devices.

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As we discussed previously, Ventricular assist devices are used as therapies for the four following conditions. 

1. Bridge-to-cardiac transplantation in Class 3B and Class IV heart failure patients. 
2. Destination therapy is used in patients who are ineligible for cardiac transplantation.
3. Bridge-to-the-Decision  LVADs have been used as a temporary measure in patients with end-organ dysfunction due to heart failure.
4. Bridge-to-Recovery provides temporary ventricular support in some Heart Failure patients, to improve myocardial function and promote recovery.