Symposium: Advances in Heart Failure Treatment From Mechanical Cardiac Support to Heart Transplant: A Guide for Sonographers

Advances in cardiac sonography have made it an essential tool for physicians in detection, surveillance, and treatment of patients with advanced heart failure (HF). Echocardiographic examinations are often pivotal in assisting physicians develop treatment plans. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the HeartMate II (HMII) ventricular assist device (VAD) for bridge to transplant (BTT) in 2008. Since then, there has been the addition of many devices and treatment options for these patients. Sonographers and vascular technologists can be expected to encounter increasing numbers of long-term VAD patients in facilities with limited experience with these devices. Cardiac sonographers are in a key position to assist physicians in the care of these patients such that data generated assist with the selection of advanced therapies or as part of a patient's follow-up care. This article provides a review of these new technologies along with practical considerations for sonographers.