Conclusion
CF-LVAD patients may tolerate life-threatening VAs for certain period of
time with no or minimal symptoms as the device supports their native
cardiac function. These patients with CF-LVADs should be carefully
evaluated for arrhythmias when presenting with any type of illness. If
VF is suspected on ECG in a CF-LVAD patient, presence of organized
cardiac activity on echocardiogram can be misleading in context of the
patient’s full clinical picture. It is important to take CF-LVAD
parameters, including low flow alarms and changes in the flow waveform,
into consideration as data points in the decision-making process as
management with early cardiac defibrillation may be warranted.