title: [Patients with implanted ventricular assist devices : Challenge for emergency medicine].
abstract: Due to a huge increase in the implantation of ventricular assist devices (VAD) over the last few years and the enormous technical advances in functional safety, a growing number of patients with VAD are discharged from hospital, who are still considered to be severely ill. This results in an increased probability of these patients interacting with emergency services where personnel are unaware of the presence of a VAD, creating anxiety and uncertainty regarding how to treat these patients. This article presents an overview of the most common problems and pitfalls regarding VADs. It also presents an algorithm for dealing with emergencies involving these patients including the diagnostics, treatment and primary transport.
authors: Klinik für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauß-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Deutschland, Michael.Bunz@ukr.de.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Bunz
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Kerscher
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Foltan
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Rupprecht
authors: B M
authors: BM
authors: Graf
authors: Y A
authors: YA
authors: Zausig
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000628:therapy; D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods*; D004635:Emergency Medicine; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D014187:Transportation of Patients