VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE VAD C
PRACTICE EXAM 2026 MASTER PREPARATION
GUIDE WITH DETAILED ANSWERS
◉ Heart Failure Class II involves what? Answer: Marked limitation of
physical activity, but comfortable at rest. (Slide 4)
◉ Heart Failure Class IV involves what? Answer: Inability to carry on
any physical activity without discomfort; Symptoms present even at
rest. (Slide 4)
◉ The classification of Heart Failure w/Reduced Ejection Fraction
(HFrEF) is defined as < __% EF. Answer: 40 (Slide 5)
◉ Advance HF will have a <__% EF. Answer: 25 (Slide 5)
◉ This is a mechanical pump that helps to unload the failing heart &
helps maintain cardiac output & vital organ perfusion; Decreases
myocardial workload? Answer: Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)
(Slide 6)
,◉ What are the for indications for a VAD? Answer: Bridge to
transplant; Destination therapy (DT); Bridge to decision/candidacy
for transplant; Bridge to recovery (Slide 7)
◉ This is an indication for VAD that is indicated in patients with
advanced age, comorbidities, social economic status makes them
ineligible for transplant? Answer: Destination Therapy (DT) (Slide 7)
◉ NYHA classification III or IV
Heart Failure; Cardiac Output under 2L/min; Cardiac Index <2.0
L/min/m2; Reversible organ dysfunction; Mean arterial pressure
<65mm
Hg; Failure of optimal medical
therapy; Recurrent hospitalization for HF; Refractory arrhythmias;
Left ventricular ejection fraction
<25%; Systolic BP < 90mm Hg are all criteria for? Answer: VAD
eligibility (Slide 8)
◉ Pulmonary HTN (if severe RV failure present pre VAD), Clotting or
bleeding condition and significant cognitive dysfunction are among
the contraindication to what? Answer: LVAD (Slide 9)
◉ Some major complications from a VAD are? Answer: Cardiac
Arrhythmia, Driveline Infection, Right HF (acute/chronic),
, Driveline/Device Malfunction, Renal Failure, Stroke among others.
(Slide 10)
◉ This is another name for 1st generation VADs? Answer: Pulsatile
VADs (Slide 12)
◉ Pulsatile VADs mimic the cardiac cycle of the heart thus have?
Answer: Diastolic and Systolic phases (Slide 12)
◉ What are some disadvantages of the Pulsatile VADs? Answer:
Durability, complications such as risk of stroke and infection and
only lasts around 2 years. (Slide 12 Notes)
◉ This is another term for 2nd and 3rd generation VADs? Answer:
Continuous Flow VADs (Slide 13)
◉ Continuous flow VADs are "____________" so there is no cardiac cycle
or palpable pulse. Answer: Non-pulsatile (Slide 13)
◉ What are the major components of the LVADs? Answer: Pump,
Cannula, Driveline, System Controller, Power Source, Mobilization
Accessories (VAD Vest, VAD Carrying Bag) (Slide 14)
PRACTICE EXAM 2026 MASTER PREPARATION
GUIDE WITH DETAILED ANSWERS
◉ Heart Failure Class II involves what? Answer: Marked limitation of
physical activity, but comfortable at rest. (Slide 4)
◉ Heart Failure Class IV involves what? Answer: Inability to carry on
any physical activity without discomfort; Symptoms present even at
rest. (Slide 4)
◉ The classification of Heart Failure w/Reduced Ejection Fraction
(HFrEF) is defined as < __% EF. Answer: 40 (Slide 5)
◉ Advance HF will have a <__% EF. Answer: 25 (Slide 5)
◉ This is a mechanical pump that helps to unload the failing heart &
helps maintain cardiac output & vital organ perfusion; Decreases
myocardial workload? Answer: Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)
(Slide 6)
,◉ What are the for indications for a VAD? Answer: Bridge to
transplant; Destination therapy (DT); Bridge to decision/candidacy
for transplant; Bridge to recovery (Slide 7)
◉ This is an indication for VAD that is indicated in patients with
advanced age, comorbidities, social economic status makes them
ineligible for transplant? Answer: Destination Therapy (DT) (Slide 7)
◉ NYHA classification III or IV
Heart Failure; Cardiac Output under 2L/min; Cardiac Index <2.0
L/min/m2; Reversible organ dysfunction; Mean arterial pressure
<65mm
Hg; Failure of optimal medical
therapy; Recurrent hospitalization for HF; Refractory arrhythmias;
Left ventricular ejection fraction
<25%; Systolic BP < 90mm Hg are all criteria for? Answer: VAD
eligibility (Slide 8)
◉ Pulmonary HTN (if severe RV failure present pre VAD), Clotting or
bleeding condition and significant cognitive dysfunction are among
the contraindication to what? Answer: LVAD (Slide 9)
◉ Some major complications from a VAD are? Answer: Cardiac
Arrhythmia, Driveline Infection, Right HF (acute/chronic),
, Driveline/Device Malfunction, Renal Failure, Stroke among others.
(Slide 10)
◉ This is another name for 1st generation VADs? Answer: Pulsatile
VADs (Slide 12)
◉ Pulsatile VADs mimic the cardiac cycle of the heart thus have?
Answer: Diastolic and Systolic phases (Slide 12)
◉ What are some disadvantages of the Pulsatile VADs? Answer:
Durability, complications such as risk of stroke and infection and
only lasts around 2 years. (Slide 12 Notes)
◉ This is another term for 2nd and 3rd generation VADs? Answer:
Continuous Flow VADs (Slide 13)
◉ Continuous flow VADs are "____________" so there is no cardiac cycle
or palpable pulse. Answer: Non-pulsatile (Slide 13)
◉ What are the major components of the LVADs? Answer: Pump,
Cannula, Driveline, System Controller, Power Source, Mobilization
Accessories (VAD Vest, VAD Carrying Bag) (Slide 14)
