Heart Failure and the Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)

General Assessment
Pulmonary Edema:
  • Cough with copious amounts of clear or pink-tinged sputum
  • Labored breathing, especially with exertion
  • Abnormal breath sounds, including rales, rhonchi, and wheezes
  • Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea (PND)
  • How many pillows do you sleep on?
    • As mentioned, the more pillows, the higher the likelihood they are unable to lie flat