Our population is aging, and heart failure is only going to increase. This will inevitably lead to an increase of patients with left ventricular assist devices. New technology can be intimidating and confusing with complex recent medical histories and unfamiliar terminology surrounding the various LVAD brands. Join the podcast crew as we attempt to simply an EMS approach to the LVAD patient.

REFERENCES:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6123099/pdf/wjem-19-834.pdf

2. https://emj.bmj.com/content/34/12/842.long

3. Goebel et al. (2019) An Urban 9-1-1 System’s Experience with Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients, Prehospital Emergency Care, 23:4, 560-565

4. Shinar et al. Chest compressions may be safe in arresting patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Resuscitation. 2014;85(5):702-704