LVAD Evaluation
-
Echocardiogram
- Exercise (VO2) test: Shows the amount of oxygen your
heart and lungs can provide to your muscles
- Right Heart
Catheterization: Measures pressures in your heart
- Left
Heart Catheterization: Uses a dye to look at your coronary
arteries
-
Electrocardiogram
(EKG)
-
Laboratory
tests: Determine blood type, other organ function and exposure
to certain diseases
-
Chest
X-ray
- Pulmonary function test: Determines lung function
if you are/were a smoker
- Carotid and peripheral
ultrasounds: Looks for blockages in certain blood vessels
-
Colonoscopy
-
Mammogram
- Dental exam: To evaluate your oral health
- Eye exam
- Psychosocial evaluation
- Insurance clearance: This
includes covering the cost of the surgery as well as testing and
medications after transplant
Your doctors may decide if other studies are needed to ensure you
are a good candidate for heart transplant.
Psychosocial/psychiatric evaluation
A specialized LVAD/transplant social worker will perform a detailed
psychosocial evaluation of your candidacy as a LVAD recipient.
Some of the things that will be assessed:
- Your understanding of the LVAD process
- Availability
of caregivers before and after implant
- Coping and stress
management barriers/challenges
- Your compliance with
previous medical regimen
- Mental health history
- Substance use history
Selection
Once all testing and psychosocial evaluation is complete the entire
LVAD team comprised of surgeons, cardiologists, nurses, social
workers, psychiatrists, financial counselors, and more meet to review
your case.
The team carefully reviews all of the your information in order to
determine if LVAD therapy is safe and appropriate for you.
Your cardiologist will inform you of the committee's decision and of
alternate therapies in the event that you are not deemed a LVAD candidate.