Our crew was dispatched to a high-energy rollover MVC with a patient ejection, a situation that typically demands aggressive trauma protocols. But what happens when the patient is equipped with a HeartMate II, a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) that pumps blood for failing hearts? The irony is that this extremely sophisticated medical device, which keeps the patient alive, also prevents our team from gathering traditional vital signs like a palpable pulse or standard blood pressure measurements. How does the team manage a trauma resuscitation when the patient’s circulation is continuous flow rather than a heartbeat? The answer lies in going back to the basics of trauma care. We’re joined by Chelsea Putman, FP-C, and Robert Steele, RN.

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