57
HVAD
®
Patient Manual
5.2 Discharge Instructions (continued)
5. Take and record your blood pressure as your clinician team instructed. Reduc-
ing blood pressure has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke. Your clinician will
teach you how to check your blood pressure. Call your clinician if it is higher than
.
6. Call your clinician if you notice any swelling in your ankles or changes in your girth.
This may be a sign of water retention.
7. Notify your clinician if there is a change in how the VAD sounds or feels.
8. Record your VAD speed (RPM), power (Watts) and ow (L/min) once a day.
Care of Equipment
1. Do NOT twist or kink your driveline.
2. Keep all your VAD equipment in a dry, room temperature (around +72°F)
environment. Store all extra equipment in your house. Be sure the equipment
is stable if stored in closets or shelves. Dropping VAD components may lead
to damage.
3. When not in use keep batteries plugged into the charger – the charger should
always be plugged into an AC outlet.
4. If you have any questions about operating, cleaning or storing your VAD
equipment, ask your clinician.
5. Do not try to repair or modify any of your VAD equipment.
Pain
By the time you are ready to go home, you should not be having much pain.
You may be sent home with pain medication which should be taken as prescribed.
If you experience an increase in pain or pain where you never had pain before,
call your clinician.
Diet
1. Follow the diet suggested by the dietitian.
2. If you have diabetes, be aware that your diabetes medications may need to be
adjusted after VAD implantation. Talk to your clinician about any changes that
are needed.
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