The Heartmate II system overview document provides information for caregivers on the proper use and monitoring of the Heartmate II left ventricular assist device. Key points include: listening for the device hum with a stethoscope, avoiding wetting or static electricity near the device, monitoring for changes in device sound or motion, and ensuring backup batteries and a controller are available at all times in case of emergency. Factors like fluid status and blood pressure can impact device function, so treating underlying conditions is important to maintain normal pump flows. The four blood pump parameters - flow, power, speed, and pulsatility index - should be monitored via echocardiogram. The system controller has boards for primary and backup operation and monitors battery level,

1. Heartmate II System Overview
90% of these patients do not have a pulse; you should
hear a hum with a stethoscopein the left upperchest.
No CPR (unless MD specifically orders).
May Cardiovert and Defibrillate.
Do not get any parts of the system wet.
Avoid static electricity.
Prevent infection.
Manual auscultationof BP is recommended for accuracy;
Doppleror Invasive monitoring may be required.
RV Failure may occurin the patient with the device; RV
dysfunction especially combined with increased PVR may
limit the LVAD effectiveness due to decreased preload to
the device.
Any change in the device sound or motion reported by the
patient should be evaluated promptlyfor the cause
includingdevice malfunction.
Factors affecting preload to the pump such as
hypovolemia or postural hypotension will result in
reduced pump flows as long as the conditionpersists; to
return pump flows to normal, the condition must be
treated.

2. To connect leads, carefully align the pins before twisting.
Backup requirements: At least one set of fully charged
spare batteries and a backup system controllerthat has
been programmed with the patients settings. These must
remain with the patient at all times for emergency use.

3. Heartmate Blood Pump
The four Blood Pump Parameters are Flow, Power,
Speed, and Pulsatility Index.
Echocardiographyserves as the primary indicatorof the
Heartmate II device function.
Once the base ECHO is established, the degree of change
in a parameter has more significance.
Consider changes in all four parameters when assessing a
situation.

4. Heartmate II System Controller
The System Controllerhas 2 computerboards. One for
Primary Operationsand one for CompleteBackup
Operations.
There are 2 power leads, each with equal power; one has a
black connectorand the otherhas a w2hite connector. The
white connectoralso has a data link cable within which
transmits info from the SC to a System Monitor or a
Display Moduleduring tetheroperation.
An event recordercollectsand stores up to 120 events on
a Heartmate Data Card for viewing on a System Monitor.
The SC is a microprocessor that controlsLVAD operation
and serves as the primary user interface of the Heartmate
II VAD.

5. System Controller Display
Test Select: Self test donedaily.
Silence Alarm: Press to silence audio alarms or to display
battery fuel gauge. Pressing and releasing this button will
silence the alarm 2min to 4 hours dependingon the type
of alarm condition. The Red Heart Hazard or power Cable
Disconnect Alarm is silenced X 2mins. General Advisory
Alarms will flash up to 4 hours continuouslyuntil
resolved.
Green Power Symbol: Illuminates when the Controlleris
receiving power from both leads.
Indicator Lights: Battery Fuel Gauge, Red Heart, Yellow
Cell Battery Moduleon SC illuminateduring Advisory or
Hazard Alarms.
Restarting the Pump: The Silence Alarm and Test Select
buttonscan be pressed X 2 secs to restart the pump. Press
both buttonsat the same time X 2 secs to force the SC
into Backup System Operation.
SC Battery IndicatorLights: (the more lights, the more
power) Press and hold the Silence Alarm button X 2 secs
to activate the battery fuel gauge. Ex. 4 green lights = 75-
100% charge. A yellow light with a beep q 4 secs = 15

6. min charge left. A red light with a continuousbeep = <5
mins charge left.
System ControllerWarning: If the PercutaneousLead
(aka Driveline) disconnectsfrom the SC, reconnectASAP
and if the Pump Speed is < 8000rpm, firmly press the Test
Select or Silence Alarm buttonto resume pump function.
If the Pump Speed is > 8000, reconnectand the pump
should automaticallyresume pumping.