Low Flow
Wed, 04/08/2020 - 3:42PMHello, I’m 58 years old wife, mother. My CHF started in my early 40s secondary to Rocky Mountain spotted fever destroyed my ventricles. Now as of Dec 16, 2019 just out of the hospital 2months Feb 16. It’s been a roller coaster with my heartmate 3. Many low flow incidents, and high PIs. I’m either to wet or to dry it’s roller coasters. Has anyone experienced the low flow??
Vikki, I have had an LVAD,…
Mon, 04/13/2020 - 11:39AMVikki,
I have had an LVAD, Heartmate 3, and I get that from time to time and my team does not feel it is an issue. What is your PI normallyand what the other times?
In reply to Vikki, I have had an LVAD,… by William W.
Vikki R.Low flow
Mon, 04/13/2020 - 3:10PMNormally, William my PI are on the high side from 6 to as high as 9
PI...low flow
Mon, 04/13/2020 - 1:17PMMy husband (Heartmate 3) experienced the same problem ....it turned out not to be a problem (and he was drinking enough) the LVAD team leader told us that many across all states were experiencing this that had no expectations...we were told that the flow numbers were our gauge as that is the aim with the LVAD to bring congestive heart failure patients to a better flow of blood....ask your Lvad people about this....we were surprised but it all made sense and worked out.
In reply to PI...low flow by Wendygail F.
Vikki R.Low flow
Mon, 04/13/2020 - 3:07PMWow that’s so interesting, my team wants to prevent low flows
Low flow-PI
Mon, 04/13/2020 - 2:07PMMy wife has had her LVAD for a little over 6 months and I believe we’ve gotten low flow alarms maybe 3 times (always out in public of course). Never a problem...just increased fluid intake. As far as PI is concerned, I was pretty focused on PI numbers but the doctors have told me numerous times that there’s not much significance to the numbers. I think there’s too much variability to matter. Less concerned about PI now.
In reply to Low flow-PI by Dennis S.
Vikki R.Low flow
Mon, 04/13/2020 - 3:05PMYou story helped me a lot I have multiple low-flows with speed dropping 5450, I don’t drink much water it’s rough but I drink at least 4 bottles a day some days.
In reply to Low flow-PI by Dennis S.
Vikki R.Low flows
Mon, 04/13/2020 - 3:13PMDennis, thank you, I have multiple low flows still whether I’m hydrated or not, I could be laughing or bending over and still have low flows.
Low Flow High PI numbers.
Mon, 04/13/2020 - 2:54PMI had this problem when I first got my LVAD Heartmate 3. Was in and out of the ER several times. Finally the team called in the company who made them in Boston and they adjusted the levels of each and it has helped a lot. Finally getting some sleep at night. I also had a plural effusion which was drained and a colonoscopy. I know the alarms going off all the time are a nuisance and it would be nice if they could lower the volume. But at least the amount of alarms has been less.
Hope this helps.
Low flow
Mon, 04/13/2020 - 2:55PMYes, I have had a huge number of low flow warnings over the past 9 1/2 years with a heartmate II, but they are only detected when my device is interrogated. I am not aware of them when they occur. I always need to do a better job hydrating but suspect there may have been an electrical problem with my old controller. I just got a new controller a couple of months ago due to wear and tear of the driveline and it will be interesting to see if the problem is ongoing.
Low Flow alarms
Mon, 04/13/2020 - 8:19PMI too have heartmate 3 and have many low flow alarms I have kept my team informed also PI runs high 8-9-10 range it was 11 one time and I called them . I had a right heart Cath. in December at my 1 year birthday my team works closely with the Cleveland Clinic and they told me they ( the clinic ) are aware but don't have a solution as yet . At one time I changed my controller to see if that may be the problem no difference good luck I will post if I have a solution .
In reply to Low Flow alarms by Michael H.
Vikki R.Low flow
Mon, 04/13/2020 - 9:19PMThank you! Stay safe
In reply to Low Flow alarms by Michael H.
Vikki R.Low flow
Mon, 04/13/2020 - 9:19PMThank you! Stay safe
In reply to Low Flow alarms by Michael H.
Vikki R.Low flow
Mon, 04/13/2020 - 9:19PMThank you! Stay safe
In reply to Low Flow alarms by Michael H.
Vikki R.Low flow
Mon, 04/13/2020 - 9:19PMThank you! Stay safe
In reply to Low Flow alarms by Michael H.
Vikki R.Low flow
Mon, 04/13/2020 - 9:19PMThank you! Stay safe
Damn alarms
Tue, 04/14/2020 - 8:12AMHi Vikki. I have a heart mate III since September 2018. When I left the hospital I had several low alarms. I never felt bad when it even went off went off in middle of night. Always seemed to go off when resting so I would get up and move around. I suspect this is an issue with III. They thought it was due to my blood pressure as I was drinking plenty of fluids. I also passed out a few times when I would stand up. No alarms! just a thud on the floor. All was fine as I would immediately recover. But so annoying. Finally they changed my controller and lowered the alarm to go off at 2.0. (Requires FDA permission) Alarms stopped! We were able to take away some meds and no more dizziness/passing out from low blood pressure. I also found if I exercise every other day it helped with all numbers. A solution needs to be found this seems to be a problem with III. Luckily my team was pro active in finding a solution. After a year I did find my numbers all improved as I got stronger. Time and communication with team was key for me. Good luck and stay strong!
In reply to Damn alarms by Lisa J.
Vikki R.Low flow
Tue, 04/14/2020 - 3:37PMThank You, Lisa, your story sounds like mine. While I was still in the hospital I fainted from low flow they changed my speed from 5600 to 5500. It really Hasn’t helped. My team believes its because I’m not drinking enough water but I beg to differ I can be hydrated and have low flows because I laughed or repositioned my upper body. Now with COVID-19 it’s a struggle whether or not I should go to hospital my alarms may go off once a week but low flows happen all the time and I feel really bad.
In reply to Damn alarms by Lisa J.
Vikki R.Low flow
Tue, 04/14/2020 - 3:38PMThank You, Lisa, your story sounds like mine. While I was still in the hospital I fainted from low flow they changed my speed from 5600 to 5500. It really Hasn’t helped. My team believes its because I’m not drinking enough water but I beg to differ I can be hydrated and have low flows because I laughed or repositioned my upper body. Now with COVID-19 it’s a struggle whether or not I should go to hospital my alarms may go off once a week but low flows happen all the time and I feel really bad.
In reply to Damn alarms by Lisa J.
Vikki R.Low flow
Tue, 04/14/2020 - 3:38PMThank You, Lisa, your story sounds like mine. While I was still in the hospital I fainted from low flow they changed my speed from 5600 to 5500. It really Hasn’t helped. My team believes its because I’m not drinking enough water but I beg to differ I can be hydrated and have low flows because I laughed or repositioned my upper body. Now with COVID-19 it’s a struggle whether or not I should go to hospital my alarms may go off once a week but low flows happen all the time and I feel really bad.
In reply to Damn alarms by Lisa J.
Vikki R.Low flow
Tue, 04/14/2020 - 3:38PMThank You, Lisa, your story sounds like mine. While I was still in the hospital I fainted from low flow they changed my speed from 5600 to 5500. It really Hasn’t helped. My team believes its because I’m not drinking enough water but I beg to differ I can be hydrated and have low flows because I laughed or repositioned my upper body. Now with COVID-19 it’s a struggle whether or not I should go to hospital my alarms may go off once a week but low flows happen all the time and I feel really bad.
In reply to Damn alarms by Lisa J.
Vikki R.Low flow
Tue, 04/14/2020 - 3:38PMThank You, Lisa, your story sounds like mine. While I was still in the hospital I fainted from low flow they changed my speed from 5600 to 5500. It really Hasn’t helped. My team believes its because I’m not drinking enough water but I beg to differ I can be hydrated and have low flows because I laughed or repositioned my upper body. Now with COVID-19 it’s a struggle whether or not I should go to hospital my alarms may go off once a week but low flows happen all the time and I feel really bad.
In reply to Damn alarms by Lisa J.
Vikki R.Low flow
Tue, 04/14/2020 - 3:38PMThank You, Lisa, your story sounds like mine. While I was still in the hospital I fainted from low flow they changed my speed from 5600 to 5500. It really Hasn’t helped. My team believes its because I’m not drinking enough water but I beg to differ I can be hydrated and have low flows because I laughed or repositioned my upper body. Now with COVID-19 it’s a struggle whether or not I should go to hospital my alarms may go off once a week but low flows happen all the time and I feel really bad.
In reply to Damn alarms by Lisa J.
Vikki R.Low flow
Tue, 04/14/2020 - 3:38PMThank You, Lisa, your story sounds like mine. While I was still in the hospital I fainted from low flow they changed my speed from 5600 to 5500. It really Hasn’t helped. My team believes its because I’m not drinking enough water but I beg to differ I can be hydrated and have low flows because I laughed or repositioned my upper body. Now with COVID-19 it’s a struggle whether or not I should go to hospital my alarms may go off once a week but low flows happen all the time and I feel really bad.
In reply to Damn alarms by Lisa J.
Cynthia K.Damn Alarms
Fri, 07/10/2020 - 2:14PMHi Lisa,
This is my first post, my name is Cynthia from China, my husband has a heart mate 3 since March 2018. With my poor English, I have all of question about heart mate 3.
He always has low flow high PI alarm without he doesn't feel anything, even he drinking plenty of fluids.
Can you share with me some ideas.
Thanks
In reply to Damn Alarms by Cynthia K.
Jerome M.Alarms
Mon, 07/13/2020 - 1:18PMI have had one or two alarms that were serious and had to be addressed. I get minor alarms while changing my batteries for washing up. I clean all the contacts on my equipment once a month and it seems to be working. I use a q-tip with alcohol and a paper towel to reduce the alcohol before cleaning the contacts. I also wipe everything down with a paper towel to make sure they are dry. I hope this helps.
Water app
Tue, 04/14/2020 - 1:39PMHi Vikki, My wife is using an app called Drink Water Aquarium. Tracks water intake and reminds you to drink. There are a number of similar apps but she likes this one. Hope that helps. Be safe.
In reply to Water app by Dennis S.
Vikki R.Low flow
Tue, 04/14/2020 - 3:24PMThank you Dennis, I’ll check it out
In reply to Water app by Dennis S.
Vikki R.Low flow
Tue, 04/14/2020 - 3:25PMThank you Dennis, I’ll check it out
In reply to Water app by Dennis S.
Vikki R.Low flow
Tue, 04/14/2020 - 3:27PMThank you Dennis, I’ll look into drink water aquarium
In reply to Water app by Dennis S.
Vikki R.Low flow
Tue, 04/14/2020 - 3:27PMThank you Dennis, I’ll look into drink water aquarium
In reply to Water app by Dennis S.
Vikki R.Low flow
Tue, 04/14/2020 - 3:27PMThank you Dennis, I’ll look into drink water aquarium
In reply to Water app by Dennis S.
Vikki R.Low flow
Tue, 04/14/2020 - 3:27PMThank you Dennis, I’ll look into drink water aquarium
In reply to Water app by Dennis S.
Vikki R.Low flow
Tue, 04/14/2020 - 3:27PMThank you Dennis, I’ll look into drink water aquarium
In reply to Water app by Dennis S.
Vikki R.Low flow
Tue, 04/14/2020 - 3:27PMThank you Dennis, I’ll look into drink water aquarium
Low flow
Sat, 07/11/2020 - 8:38AMThe only time I have low flow alarms is when active intimately,anyone else have this issue?
low flows
Sat, 07/11/2020 - 9:45AMI have the very same condition many ,many low flows and high PI the highest I can remember was 11.2 my tear is aware and has consulted with the Cleaveland Clinic
In reply to low flows by Michael H.
Jim C.Did your team ha e any ideas…
Sat, 07/11/2020 - 9:51AMDid your team ha e any ideas? Mine were less than helpful and it is quite the mood breaker
In reply to Did your team ha e any ideas… by Jim C.
Cynthia K.The term did not have any…
Sun, 07/12/2020 - 1:39PMThe term did not have any ideas, just asked to drink more water. The only thing left behind is fear and tears. I think my husband is the only Asian has LVAD. It is very difficult to accept and communicate.
Low flow alarms solved
Sun, 07/26/2020 - 11:45PMI have had a HeartMate 3 over 3 years. In the last year, I had a dozen or more alarms nightly. Of course, dehydration was the first thought but even extreme hydration offered no benefit. One VAD doctor tried lowering blood pressure further But no reduction in alarms. We changed the controller from the original 2.5 liter per minute alarm level to the new 2.0 liter per minute alarm. Very little improvement. Finally one of the docs recognized that since the left heart is fed from the right heart, any reduction in right heart performance might result in insufficient flow through the left heart and to the pump. He dropped my pump speed from 5600 rpm to 5400 rpm and not a single alarm since in over a month. The reduction has no apparent impact on me and the flow rate shown on the controller is the same as before. Ask your doctor about it. The adjustment takes 10 seconds and there is no downside.