VAD protocol

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Hello everyone!

I am looking for some information on a VAD protocol. We have had BiVAD, LVAD, & RVAD. We just don't have a protocol for them. Does your hospital have one?

Any information would be greatly appreciated!!:)

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i have always used a numbing agent at first.

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Hello everyone!

I am looking for some information on a VAD protocol. We have had BiVAD, LVAD, & RVAD. We just don't have a protocol for them. Does your hospital have one?

Any information would be greatly appreciated!!:)

What kind of protocol are you looking for? Patient care? Staffing? Be more specific:rolleyes:

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Specifically like when to give fluids (esp. within the first 24hrs), goal range for CVP, range for ACT, ptt, etc. I guess it would be patient care protocol. We usually staff 2 RN's in the first 24 hours (more if unstable) so staffing usually isn't a problem. It's the patient care we need a protocol for.

Thanks!! :)

PS - VAD (Ventricular Assisted Device) not the Vincristine, etc. chemo therapy thing. ;)

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Specifically like when to give fluids (esp. within the first 24hrs), goal range for CVP, range for ACT, ptt, etc. I guess it would be patient care protocol. We usually staff 2 RN's in the first 24 hours (more if unstable) so staffing usually isn't a problem. It's the patient care we need a protocol for.

Thanks!! :)

PS - VAD (Ventricular Assisted Device) not the Vincristine, etc. chemo therapy thing. ;)

I am not an ICU nurse,is a vad something that is implanted? :confused:

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I am not an ICU nurse,is a vad something that is implanted? :confused:

Yes - a VAD is essentially an artificial ventricle. It can support left, right, or both ventricles, and is usually attached to an external monitor/pump via a driveline. Patients that get VADs are very sick - usually EF is less than 10%. They used to use them as bridges to heart transplants, but now can be used as destination therapy.

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Specializes in ABMT.

Here's kind of a weird link that may be of no use--it's for one of the Duke CICUs and has the nurse manager's name--maybe you could contact her?

http://dukenursing.org/jobopenings_unitprofile.asp?UID=55

I know they see a lot of LVADs and BiVADs; I'm not a nurse there, but my husband was on a Thoratec Bi VAD for a few months before transplantation and as I understand it Duke is a leader in VAD research. They've been researching using them to decrease pulmonary hypertension, among other things. Some cool stuff.

anyway, good luck,

Rebecca :heartbeat

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sorry...i thought venous access device!

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