How often are LVAD dressings changed?

6) How long do we have to do the driveline dressing change? The driveline always requires a sterile dressing over the site. You or your caregiver will start out having to change it daily for approximately three months then you should be transitioned to a weekly change, as long as there are no issues with the site.

How often should a VAD dressing be changed?

To standardize wound care and prevent infection in patients who have HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) implants. Dressing change should be performed no sooner than 48 hours after device implantation unless saturated. *Notify Cardiac Surgeon if dressing saturated and requires early intervention.

How do I clean my LVAD website?

Start at your skin, and clean in a direction away from your body.

  1. Open the pouch that says “Sterile Cleanse”.
  2. Place the sterile gloves and hand sanitizer gel to the side.
  3. Pinch the left corner of the blue kit and turn it over.
  4. Clean your hands using the hand sanitizer gel and then put on the sterile gloves.

What is VAD dressing?

Covaderm Plus® VAD Dressing is designed to cover vascular access sites. Constructed with a special V-cut tape and protective layers, it securely holds catheter tubing in place. • “V-cut” tape secures catheter extension tubing and prevents lifting of dressing edge.

What is LVAD in cardiology?

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) A ventricular assist device (VAD) — also known as a mechanical circulatory support device — is a device that helps pump blood from the lower chambers of your heart (ventricles) to the rest of your body.

What is a driveline for LVAD?

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), the most common form of durable MCS, are implantable pumps that offload a failing left ventricle. LVADs connect to an external power source through a subcutaneously tunneled cable called a driveline, which typically exits the skin in the abdominal wall.

What is a driveline exit site?

The driveline exit site is frequently the entry site of pathogens that may cause local infection, and these infections could track to the pocket and the pump. Therefore, driveline infections increase the risk for pump/cannula, pocket and bloodstream infections [2].

How do you care for someone with an LVAD?

Avoid chest compressions except as a last resort because they can dislodge the LVAD andcause irreparable damage. Give medications per advanced cardiac life support protocol. You can leave the pump running during defibrillation.

What is a driveline infection?

Driveline infections (DLIs) are the most common type of LVAD-associated infection (LVADI). DLIs occur frequently because the driveline exit site creates a conduit for entry of bacteria and the prosthetic material of the driveline creates an ideal environment for the formation of bacterial biofilms (1).

What is the most common type of ventricular assist device?

The LVAD is the most common type of VAD. It helps the left ventricle pump blood to the aorta. The aorta is the main artery that carries oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your body.