Heart Failure and the Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)

Airway and Breathing Assessment
  • Assessment Pitfalls
  • No pulse
  • No systolic / diastolic blood pressure
  • Patients will have only a mean arterial pressure (MAP)
    • MAP = Cardiac Output x Systemic Vascular Resistance
    • Assessed by Doppler 
  • No noise
    • Unless auscultated
  • No SpO2 % (Pulse Oximetry) Reading
  • Paramedics may utilize waveform capnography to determine the presence of adequate circulation
    • Normal capnography measurements may be found (35 - 45mmHg)