Thoratec HeartMate III, Instructions For Use Manual, Page: 252 / 458

5 Surgical Procedures
5-44 HeartMate III Left Ventricular Assist System Instructions for Use
De-Airing the Pump
When the Pump is in place and the sealed Outflow Graft anastomoses is completed, residual air
must be completely evacuated from the device blood chamber prior to initiating device activation.
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) should be utilized to monitor for air emboli. It is
advisable to monitor the left atrial pressure, which should be maintained at greater than 10 mm
Hg.
F
OR THIS TASK YOU NEED
:
• 1 HeartMate III Left Ventricular Assist Device, prepared for use
Refer to Preparing, Operating, and Priming the Pump on page 5-22.
• 1 System Monitor and Power Module, prepared for use
Refer to System Monitor Setup on page 4-5.
• 1 or more clamps
• 1 vent needle
T
O DE
-
AIR THE PUMP
:
1. Cross-clamp the sealed Outflow Graft at the distal end and move the Bend Relief toward the
aortic anastomosis.
2. Place the patient in the Trendelenburg position.
3. Position the sealed Outflow Graft in a vertical position, such that an arch forms the highest
point.
4. Insert a vent needle at the highest point in the graft between the clamp and the sealed
Outflow Graft connection.
5. Reduce cardiopulmonary bypass flow to allow filling of the left ventricle and Left Ventricular
Assist Device by diverting at least two liters per minute (lpm) of blood to the ventricle.
6. Connect the Pump Cable connector to the Modular Cable to initiate HeartMate III Pump
operation by completing the following steps:
a. Dry the Pump Cable connector and Tunneling Adapter with a clean and dry sterile towel.
b. Using a clean and dry sterile towel, grip the connector area and disconnect the
Tunneling Adapter, orienting the adapter downward.
c. Leave the adapter tied to the Pump Cable.
d. Visually confirm that the inside of the Pump Cable connector is dry.
e.
If the connector is not dry, discard the Pump and obtain a new one.
f. Remove the towel that is wrapped around the Modular Cable In-line connector and
Modular Cable Cap.
g. Visually confirm that the inside of the modular cable connector is dry.
h.
If the connector is not dry, discard the cable and obtain a new one.
i. If the Modular Cable and/or the Modular Cable Cap are wet, use a clean dry sterile towel
to dry them.