If a patient with an LVAD is in cardiac arrest due to a malfunction, should chest compressions be performed?

In cases involving a patient with a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), the approach to resuscitation may differ from traditional cardiac arrest scenarios. However, if the LVAD is malfunctioning and the patient becomes unresponsive or has no detectable pulse, chest compressions should indeed be initiated.

The primary concern is that the LVAD, while assisting the function of the heart, is not producing a palpable pulse due to its continuous flow nature. In essence, a patient with an LVAD may not exhibit typical signs of circulation, but if the device is not functioning properly, the patient is still critically ill and necessitates immediate intervention.

Commencing chest compressions is vital as it helps to maintain minimal perfusion to vital organs and can aid in restoring effective circulation until the LVAD can be assessed and potentially restored to function or until emergency medical services can take over. It is essential for care providers to understand that even with devices like LVADs, the basic principles of resuscitation remain intact, and a malfunctioning LVAD presents a critical situation where immediate action is required.