Trauma resuscitation in a left ventricular assist device patient: an emergency medicine simulation scenario

Abstract

Heart failure is a leading cause of death worldwide. While heart transplantation is the most successful treatment for end-stage heart failure, the scarcity in donor hearts has ushered in the use of alternative therapies, such as the left ventricular assist device (LVAD). This patient population may present with low frequency, but they require disease-specific management. Learners may fine-tune these principles in a safe learning environment, such as a medical simulation lab. Here, we present a case in which a patient with a LVAD sustained serious traumatic injuries.