Number of Courses:  One Live 2-Hour Class
Credit Awarded:  2 Hours
Credit Type: Advanced
Accredited: IBSC, CAPCE (F5-VILT), CE Broker (FL & TN), Pennsylvania Bureau of EMS, and Virginia Office of EMS
Enrollment Period:  One year or until completed, whichever comes first
Topics: Cardiology

This CE activity is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education for a total of 2 Paramedic Critical Care CEH.

Are you in need of a few critical care hours to round out your FP-C or CCP-C recertification? Or just want something different to put towards your NRP recertification? This individual Critical Care course will meet those needs.

IBSC Board for Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification APPROVED!

Want to see when classes are offered, click here DistanceCME Course Calendar

Topics covered in this Live CCTR L3

  • Cardiology (2 hr)

If you need more than a few hours, this program is perfect for your continuing education: Critical Care Transport Review. The Critical Care Transport program can also be used for your NREMT Recertification.

Course Overview
Transporting patients who depend on mechanical circulatory support requires an understanding of cardiovascular physiology, device function, and the complications that can develop during transport. This comprehensive course reviews heart failure and the cardiac assist devices used to support critically ill patients, including ventricular assist devices, intra-aortic balloon pumps, Impella devices, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Participants explore patient assessment, equipment considerations, and the coordination necessary to maintain support throughout the transport environment.

Heart Failure & Hemodynamic Principles
Learners review the relationship between cardiac output, heart rate, and stroke volume, with emphasis on how preload, afterload, and contractility influence cardiac performance. The course examines the Frank-Starling relationship and the differences between acute and chronic heart failure. Participants connect changes in myocardial oxygen supply and demand with declining cardiac function and the role of mechanical support.

Ventricular Assist Devices
This section explores ventricular assist devices and their use as a bridge to recovery, transplantation, or long-term destination therapy. Participants review the components of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), including the implanted pump, driveline, controller, and power supply. The course examines differences in pump design and flow characteristics while connecting device function with preload, afterload, and patient perfusion.

LVAD Assessment & Transport Considerations
Participants examine the assessment challenges associated with continuous-flow devices and the importance of evaluating perfusion beyond conventional pulse and blood pressure measurements. The course reviews potential complications, including bleeding, infection, thromboembolism, and suction events. Learners also explore equipment preparation, power management, device monitoring, and communication with the patient’s LVAD coordinator when concerns arise.

Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Therapy
Learners examine how intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) counterpulsation supports coronary perfusion and reduces ventricular workload. The course reviews device components, indications, contraindications, and control parameters, including trigger selection, augmentation, and assist ratios. Participants explore pressure waveform interpretation and the recognition of early or late balloon inflation and deflation, connecting timing errors with their potential effects on cardiac function.

Impella Devices & Transport Management
This section introduces Impella devices and their role in providing temporary mechanical circulatory support. Participants review device components, controller information, purge system considerations, and potential complications, including hemolysis, vascular injury, and limb ischemia. The course also addresses transport preparation and the recognition of suction, low-flow, and positioning alarms that require assessment and coordination with the treating team.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Participants explore the principles of ECMO, including the differences between venovenous and venoarterial support. The course reviews clinical applications, patient selection considerations, and the challenges of transporting patients who require extracorporeal support. Emphasis includes the transport paramedic’s role within the specialist team, ongoing patient management, ventilation considerations, and preparation for potential complications.

Clinical Integration
Throughout the course, cardiovascular physiology and device function are connected to patient assessment and transport planning. Learners examine the importance of securing equipment, maintaining adequate power supplies, protecting device connections, and anticipating changes in patient condition. The course reinforces coordinated care and the role of device-specific training when transporting patients who depend on mechanical support.

Who Should Take This Course?
This course is designed for paramedics involved in critical care transport who are seeking a comprehensive review of cardiac assist devices and the patients who depend on them. As Lesson 3 of the Critical Care Transport Review series, it develops the knowledge needed to understand mechanical circulatory support, recognize potential complications, and contribute to coordinated patient care during transport.