2. Heart Mate II
The VAD is a surgically implanted artificial heart pump
used to treat patients with advanced congestive heart
failure.
3. How Does It Work?
The HeartMate II pumps blood from the weakened left ventricle to
the aorta
• A thin cable passes through
the skin and it is called a
percutaneous lead or the
drive line
• The perc lead is connected
to the System Controller,
which controls the settings
of the pump
• The System Controller has
two power lead cables one
on each side that have to be
connected to AC power or
batteries, in order for the
pump to run
4. Percutaneous Lead – A Very Important
Connection
The percutaneous lead is connected to the controller and has
to be connected at all times in order for the pump to function. If
not attached a loud continuous alarm will sound and the pump
will stop.
5. Percutaneous Lead Lock
Unlocked Locked
The System Controller’s Perc Lock keeps the percutaneous lead
from accidentally disconnecting from the Controller. When assessing
your patient always check to make sure it is in the locked position
6. Perc Lead/Driveline
• The perc lead is the connection from the pump on the
inside of the body to the system controller that is on the
outside.
• Do not pull or move lead through the patient’s skin.
• Patient should wear an abdominal binder or restrictive
device to keep the perc lead/driveline from moving.
• It is extremely important to protect the perc lead since
damage to the lead can cause the pump to stop
• Do not severely bend, kink, or twist the lead or catch it in
the carrying case zipper.
• Do not let the lead catch or snag on anything that could
pull or move the lead.
• At all times there should be a sterile dressing over the
perc lead where it exits out of the abdomen, and that
area assessed daily for redness, discharge, heat, and
moisture
7. Next Connection – System Controller
• The System Controller is a small computer that makes
sure the pump is working properly.
• The System Controller is connected to both the pump,
through the perc. Lead, and a power supply, through the
power lead cables.
• The System Controller has two power lead cables that
are connected to a power source at all times
8. The System Controller power leads must be attached to a
power source at all times or the pump will stop
Tethered Operation: Untethered Operation:
The System Controller is System Controller is
connected to AC power connected to batteries
with Power Module and
power cable
9. Power Module (AC Power): Tethered Mode
Patient should ALWAYS connect to AC electrical power
through the Power Module (PM) for sleep or when
anticipating sleep.
Power Module/patient System Controller connected to
cable. This unit is patient cable/Power Module
plugged into a
designated and
grounded 3 prong socket
10. Battery Power: Untethered Mode
• Battery power allows the patient to be mobile
• Two batteries are attached to system controller
• Each pair of batteries will last 6 – 10 hours
• Equipment can be carried several different ways
Holster vest
Shoulder bag
11. Making Connections When Changing Power
Sources
• Line up the half circles inside the connectors
• Gently bring the connectors together, turning them slightly to make
the connection, if needed
• When you feel the connectors engage, push them together firmly
until fully connected – WITHOUT twisting or forcing the connectors
• Once they are fully connected, secure the connection between the
connectors by turning the nut on the connector. Hand tighten the
nut; DO NOT use tools such as hemostats to tighten the connection.
• Never disconnect both at the same time or the
PUMP WILL STOP
12. Changing from Power Module to Batteries
• Place two battery clips, two charged batteries, and the
white and black Power Module to System Controller
cables within easy reach.
• Place the 1st charged battery into a battery clip by lining
up the arrows on the battery and battery clip and pushing
until the battery clicks into place.
• Repeat step 2 for the 2nd battery/battery clip.
13. Changing power cable to battery
• Unscrew the black System Controller patient cable connector
from the Power Base Module (PBU) connecter cable. The power
disconnected alarm will come on: an alarm will sound one beep
per second, the green power symbol will flash rapidly, and the
four green battery fuel gauge lights will flash.
• Put aside the PBU patient cable connector that is connected to
the Power Module; then connect the battery clip connector to the
black System Controller connector.
One side of the cable will
be connected to the PBM
and the other to the
system controller
14. Changing power cable to battery con’t
• When the alarms have stopped, unscrew the white System
Controller patient cable connector from the Power Base
Module (PBU) cable connector. The power disconnected
alarm will come on: an alarm will sound one beep per second,
the green power symbol will flash rapidly, and the four green
battery fuel gauge lights will flash.
• Put aside the PBU patient cable connector; then connect the
battery clip connector to the white system controller
connector.
• Place the battery clips and batteries into the holsters or
carrying case.
16. Changing from Battery Power to
Power Module
• First step make sure the PM is plugged
into AC power and the connectors are
within reach. Next check the battery status
on each battery. If one battery has less of
a charge you want to change from that
battery to the power module cable first. If
both batteries have equal charge change
the white cable first.
17. Changing from Battery Power to Power
Module Cont.
• Unscrew the white system controller connector from the battery clip.
The power disconnected alarm will come on: an alarm will sound
one beep per second, the green power symbol will flash rapidly, and
the four green battery fuel gauge lights will flash. * Remember the
patient is still attached to the 2nd battery so the pump is still running.
The alarm is there to remind you that you need to connect to a
power source.
• Connect the white system controller connector to the white Power
Module patient cable connector
• After alarm has stopped unscrew the black system controller
connector from the battery clip. The power disconnected alarm will
come on: an alarm will sound one beep per second, the green
power symbol will flash rapidly, and the four green battery fuel
gauge lights will flash.
• Connect the black system controller connector to the white Power
Module patient cable. The patient is now connected to AC power.
19. Safety
• Keep all LVAD equipment
away from water. If it
gets wet it could cause
the device to stop or one
may receive a strong
electric shock. The
patient may take showers
if approved by their doctor
and they have a GoGear
shower bag, which
keeps the equipment
GoGear Shower Bag
dry!!!
20. Safety Cont.
• Patients need to avoid strong static
discharges, such as television and computer
screens. Do not wipe these screens down
because the static discharge could cause the
equipment to malfunction.
• Patients can not have a MRI, however they can
have CT tests.
21. The Black Bag
VAD PATIENTS ARE REQUIRED TO CARRY A BAG WITH
THEM AT ALL TIMES WHICH CONTAINS:
• Extra System Controller
• Extra Fully Charged Batteries
• Extra Battery Clips
• Emergency Contacts
22. Alarms
• The System Controller warns you if there is a problem
with the pump or its power supply.
• The Controller’s warning lights, buttons, and battery fuel
gauge are on the top of the device
Battery Fuel Battery Symbol
Test Select Gauge (yellow and red)
Button
Silence
Alarm
Button
Power Controller Red
Symbol Cell Symbol Heart
(green) (yellow) Symbol
23. Yellow Alarms
• Less than 15 minutes of battery power left
• Immediately replace depleted batteries
with a new, charged pair of batteries
one at a time or switch to Power Module
• WARNING! Do NOT remove power from
both power leads at the same time, or
the pump will stop
24. Red Alarms
RED HEART ALARM RED BATTERY ALARM
1. Make sure System Controller 1. Less than 5 minutes of battery
is connected to the power left
percutaneous lead 2. Immediately replace depleted
batteries with a new, charged
2. Make sure System Controller pair batteries one at a time. If
is connected to a power charged batteries are not
source (batteries or power available, switch to Power
module) Module
• Pump speed will gradually
decrease to save power
3. If alarm continues,
immediately call for WARNING! Do NOT remove
emergency help power from both power leads
at the same time, or the pump
will stop
25. Important Clinical Info
• Non-pulstatile VAD patients – are typically pulseless as this is a
continuous flow device.
• Assess the patient for signs of good circulation to determine if
perfusion is adequate, such as capillary refill and their
mentation.
• Automatic blood pressures are not accurate and usually can’t be
obtained as pts do not have systolic or diastolic function due to
continuous flow provided by VAD.
• Blood pressure must be measured by manual cuff with doppler;
when you hear the swooshing sound that will be your Mean
Arterial Pressure (MAP). You want the MAP between 60-90.
• May be difficult to obtain an O2 sat due to lack of pulsatility so
you have to get a blood gas if you are concerned of low O2
• Pts are anti-coagulated on Coumadin and aspirin and are at risk
for bleeding.
26. Emergency Procedures
• An emergency exists when the device is potentially or
actually unable to pump an adequate amount of blood.
These conditions are signified by a RED HEART
SYMBOL and accompanied by a CONTINUOUS AUDIO
TONE.
• In the event the VAD stops operating, all attempts must
be made to restore pump function immediately by:
– Checking the percutaneous lead connection to the
system controller
– Make sure system controller is connected to a power
source
– If alarm continues, immediately call Rapid
Response 25900, then page Dr. Bensimhon
and if can’t get him then Dr. VanTrigt
NO CPR!
27. Remember……..
•A trained VAD nurse must remain with the patient
at all times. When traveling the VAD nurse needs
to make sure they have the patients equipment:
backup System Controller, back up charged
Batteries, and back up Battery Clips
•VAD equipment may not work properly if it gets
wet – protect from moisture
•Any questions – Call Rapid Response 25900
28. Summary
• There will be more extensive training for
managing and taking care of these
patients soon.
• Any questions email the VAD Coordinator
at ali.cosgrove@conehealth.com
• For more info refer to
homepage/resources/refdocs/clinical
resources/criticalcare/Thoratec
folder/HeartMate