Is a palpable pulse always restored during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a patient with a left ventricular assist device?

Am J Med Sci. 2014 Apr;347(4):322-7. doi: 10.1097/MAJ.0000000000000219.

Abstract

End-stage heart failure patients are being supported with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVAD) in increasing numbers. The severe physiologic and pharmacologic derangements associated with end-stage heart failure therapies predispose these patients to delirium. During a delirious episode, a patient may inadvertently disconnect CF-LVAD equipment, which may have dangerous consequences. Unfortunately, it is not yet routine to use readily available clinical monitoring tools to allow early detection of delirium in this high-risk population. The authors present a case of acute hyperactive delirium leading to pump power disconnection and cardiopulmonary arrest occurring 7 days after CF-LVAD implantation. The case highlights the need for delirium awareness in the cardiovascular intensive care unit and the unique challenges associated with resuscitation of CF-LVAD patients. The authors propose that cardiovascular intensive care unit patients undergo at least twice daily delirium monitoring and provide a novel resuscitation algorithm for patients who have CF-LVADs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Algorithms
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / etiology
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / therapy
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation* / methods
  • Delirium / diagnosis
  • Delirium / etiology*
  • Delirium / therapy
  • Heart Arrest / therapy
  • Heart Failure / complications
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology
  • Heart Failure / therapy
  • Heart-Assist Devices / adverse effects*
  • Heart-Assist Devices / psychology
  • Hemodynamics
  • Humans
  • Male