The Thoratec Ventricular Assist Device: Nursing Guidelines

1991 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 529-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Jill Ley
Keyword(s):  
Ventricular Assist Device ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Cardiac Transplant ◽  
Assist Device ◽  
Ventricular Assist ◽  
Nursing Diagnosis ◽  
Management Of Complications ◽  
Nursing Guidelines ◽  
And Coping

The Thoratec ventricular assist device (VAD) offers a final hope for survival in patients with severe cardiogenic shock unresponsive to conventional therapy. In select patients, these pneumatically activated prosthetic ventricles maintain organ perfusion pending recovery of the native heart or cardiac transplant. A detailed review of Thoratec VAD operation, its impact on the circulatory pathway and hemodynamic monitoring, and troubleshooting guidelines specific to these patients are presented. A nursing diagnosis framework assists with the identification and management of problems such as impaired cardiac output and gas exchange, as well as altered mobility, nutrition, and coping. Current information regarding the etiology and management of complications such as bleeding, infection, and end-organ failure are reviewed. A case study presentation offers guidelines for weaning patients from the VAD and includes a comprehensive nursing care plan for these challenging patients

The Use of an Absorbable Microporous Polysaccharide Hemosphere Haemostat (AristaAH®) in Ventricular Assist Device Implant and Cardiac Transplantation Procedures

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 125
Author(s):  
Brian A Bruckner ◽  
Matthias Loebe ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Ventricular Assist Device ◽  
Cardiac Transplantation ◽  
Cardiac Surgical Procedures ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Cardiac Transplant ◽  
Assist Device ◽  
Ventricular Assist ◽  
Refractory Heart Failure ◽  
Haemostatic Agents

Topical haemostatic agents are useful adjuncts for the overall approach to haemostasis during mechanical support and cardiac transplant surgical procedures. Increasing numbers of cardiac surgical patients are presenting with pharmacologically induced impairment of the clotting cascade. Additionally, there continues to be an increase in the numbers of ventricular assist device implantations worldwide and these patients have haemostasis challenges both at the time of implantation and at subsequent transplantation. Patients undergoing assist device placement or cardiac transplantation usually have severe, refractory heart failure and varying degrees of multi-organ dysfunction, which make them susceptible to bleeding during the surgical procedure. Despite routine blood conservation measures and the use of intravenous agents, local surgical field haemostasis still remains a challenge. Topical agents are increasingly used in cardiac surgical procedures, especially in assist device or transplant cases. Herein, we report our institutional approach to topical haemostasis in a high-risk group of patients undergoing assist device or cardiac transplant. AristaAH®, a novel polysaccharide topical haemostat, provides effective and safe control of challenging bleeding situations.

scholarly journals Management of Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Device during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Medicina ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Gassan Moady ◽  
Tuvia Ben Gal ◽  
Shaul Atar
Keyword(s):  
Left Ventricular Assist Device ◽  
Ventricular Assist Device ◽  
Cardiovascular Complications ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Assist Device ◽  
Ventricular Assist ◽  
Management Of Complications ◽  
Left Ventricular Assist ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease with multi-organ involvement, including the cardiovascular system. The disease may cause several cardiovascular complications, and may increase morbidity and mortality among patients with background cardiovascular disease. Patients with advanced heart failure are often treated with left ventricular assist device (LVAD), and represent a unique population mandating multi-disciplinary approach. Several aspects of COVID-19 should be taken into account in LVAD implants, including right ventricular involvement, hemodynamic alterations, thromboembolic and haemorrhagic complications, and the psychological effects of social isolation. Patients with VAD and suspected COVID-19 should be transferred to specialized centers for better management of complications. Here, we review the implications of COVID-19 pandemic on LVAD patients with our recommendations for appropriate management.

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