Open AccessSudden Power Loss in a HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device Due to Intermittent Pin Contact with the Battery
Author(s) -
Dean Belway,
Mark J. Cleland,
Timothy J. Zakutney,
Jackie Gre,
Lisa Mielniczuk,
Paul Hendry
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
asaio journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.961
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1538-943X
pISSN - 1058-2916
DOI - 10.1097/mat.0b013e318288a3a8
Subject(s) - battery (electricity) , medicine , ventricular assist device , cardiology , power (physics) , electrical engineering , heart failure , engineering , physics , quantum mechanics
Left ventricular assist device technology has improved such that mechanical malfunction, particularly with newer generation continuous flow devices, is a relatively rare event. We present a case of sudden power loss in a HeartMate II caused by intermittent contact of the battery terminals after a clip was dropped with the battery inserted in it. The clip was replaced and the patient made a complete recovery. A new inspection and testing methodology, and amended approach to patient and caregiver training, designed to prevent future occurrences is described.