LVAD and Heart Transplant for the Rehabilitation Therapist

Course Description

Rehabilitation therapy for patients requiring LVAD and Heart Transplant is a rapidly growing area of practice for physical and occupational therapists across the continuum of care. As medical device technology and transplantation techniques improve, more patients are able to be treated with advanced heart failure therapies. This growing population has unique rehabilitation needs, especially as patients who are more critically ill are able to receive these life-saving therapies, but have the impact of multiple surgeries, long length of stay, and longevity of illness. Rehabilitation professionals who treat across the continuum of care should be aware of the considerations for patients who have heart failure and are either in preparation for or have received advanced heart failure treatment such as LVAD or Heart Transplant and the impact on body systems.  The speaker will review relevant lab values, medications, and potential challenges that therapists may be faced with while working with this population and provide tools to advocate for improved rehabilitation practice. Case studies will be reviewed and patient outcomes discussed to provide examples of rehabilitation interventions with lessons and considerations for PTs and OTs in all areas of practice.

Course Objectives

At the end of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Explain the etiology and pathology resulting in advanced heart failure in order to better understand the patient presentation
• Review pharmacological and medical imaging and interventions that impact patient presentation and rehabilitation plan of care
• Discuss management and treatment options for advanced heart failure
• Utilize guiding principles for rehabilitating the advanced heart failure patient

• Prerequisites

  None

• Educational Level

  Intermediate

• Other

  Satisfactory completion of this course will require the participant to respond to various polling questions asked throughout the webinar.