Thoratec HeartMate III, Instructions For Use Manual, Page: 269 / 458

Patient Care and Management 6
HeartMate III Left Ventricular Assist System Instructions for Use 6-5
• For international travel, the patient must use a Thoratec power cord that is compatible with
the local voltage and that meets applicable national plug, rated voltage, rated current, and
safety agency marks and specifications for the Mobile Power Unit and Battery Charger.
Other power cords must not be used. Contact Thoratec Corporation for a power cord, if
needed. Refer to Thoratec Corporation contact information on page iii.
• If traveling by aircraft, the patient should be instructed to bring sufficient battery power to
power the system until the destination is reached. Neither the Mobile Power Unit nor the
Battery Charger should be used on aircraft.
CAUTION !
• Right heart failure can occur following implantation of the Pump. Right ventricular
dysfunction, especially when combined with elevated pulmonary vascular resistance, may
limit the effectiveness of the Left Ventricular Assist System due to reduced filling of the
Pump.
• Do not try to fix any of the equipment yourself. If HeartMate III equipment needs service,
contact the appropriate personnel trained by Thoratec Corporation.
• Notify the appropriate personnel if there is a change in how the Pump works, sounds, or
feels.
• Counsel the patient to avoid contact sports and jumping activities while implanted with
the Pump. Contact sports or jumping can cause bleeding or damage the Pump.
• The Driveline exit site must be dressed prior to applying stabilization.
• To achieve the desired outcome, stabilization should be applied in the operating room,
post implant.
• Keep the Driveline exit site as clean and dry as possible.
• To avoid pulling on or moving the Driveline at the exit site, the Driveline must be
stabilized at all times. Pulling on or moving the Driveline can keep the exit site from
healing or damage an already healed exit site. Exit site trauma or tissue damage can
increase the patient’s risk of getting a serious infection. Emphasize to the patient and/or
family member or caregiver the importance of not pulling on or moving the Driveline.
• Do not twist, kink, or sharply bend the Driveline, System Controller power cables, the
Power Module patient cable, or the Mobile Power Unit patient cable, which may cause
damage to the wires inside, even if external damage is not visible. Damage to the
Driveline or cables could cause the Left Ventricular Assist Device to stop. If the Driveline or
cables become twisted, kinked, or bent, carefully unravel and straighten.
WARNING ! (Continued)