Course Breakdown: 1 Hour Self-Paced Course
Credit Awarded: 1 Hour
Credit Type: Advanced
Accredited: CAPCE (F3-Distributive), CE Broker (FL & TN), Pennsylvania Bureau of EMS*, and Virginia Office of EMS
Enrollment Period: One year or until completed, whichever comes first
Topics: Heart Failure and VADs
*PA Bureau of EMS reporting is by Regional Endorsement.
Self-Paced Course Overview
Heart failure remains one of the leading causes of hospitalization and emergency medical response in the United States. As patients live longer with chronic cardiovascular disease, EMS clinicians are increasingly called upon to recognize acute heart failure exacerbations, initiate evidence-based treatment, and care for patients supported by advanced cardiac technologies such as ventricular assist devices (VADs). This course provides a comprehensive review of heart failure physiology, prehospital management, and the unique assessment considerations for patients living with mechanical circulatory support.
Understanding Heart Failure
Participants explore the pathophysiology of heart failure, including the effects of impaired cardiac output, pulmonary congestion, and reduced tissue perfusion. The course reviews common causes such as coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, hypertension, valvular disease, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease while examining the physiologic changes that produce acute decompensated heart failure.
Assessment & Classification
Learners develop a systematic approach to evaluating patients with suspected heart failure through focused history taking, medication review, physical examination, and trending symptoms. The course reviews the New York Heart Association functional classifications, stages of heart failure progression, classic clinical findings, nighttime symptoms such as orthopnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and methods for distinguishing worsening heart failure from other causes of respiratory distress.
Evidence-Based Prehospital Management
Participants review current evidence-based treatment strategies including patient positioning, oxygen titration, cardiac monitoring, twelve-lead ECG acquisition, nitroglycerin administration, and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Indications, contraindications, and physiologic effects of CPAP are discussed in detail, along with appropriate patient selection and ongoing reassessment throughout transport.
Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs)
The course introduces ventricular assist devices as an advanced treatment option for patients with end-stage heart failure. Learners examine the function of left, right, and biventricular assist devices; understand the components of implantable VAD systems; recognize continuous-flow versus pulsatile devices; and identify common complications including thrombosis, infection, device malfunction, and right ventricular failure.
Managing the VAD Patient
Participants develop the knowledge necessary to safely assess and manage patients with ventricular assist devices in the prehospital environment. Topics include evaluating perfusion without relying solely on traditional vital signs, recognizing normal device function, troubleshooting alarms and power failures, communicating with VAD coordinators, protecting the driveline system, and determining when resuscitative interventions may be appropriate.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is designed for EMTs, AEMTs, and Paramedics who care for patients experiencing acute heart failure or advanced cardiac disease. It is particularly valuable for clinicians seeking to strengthen their understanding of evidence-based heart failure management while developing the confidence to assess and care for patients supported by ventricular assist devices in the prehospital setting.