Employing End Tidal Capnography in Continuous Flow Ventricular Assist Device Patients

The purpose of this proposal is to explore the relationships between End Tidal Carbon Dioxide (ETCO2) via nasal cannula (ETCO2-NC) and routinely measured physiologic and participant reported parameters in extubated participants who have received a continuous flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD), and to determine if the addition of ETCO2-NC monitoring to usual care is associated with decreased incidence and severity of respiratory issues. A convenience sample of 60 participants either scheduled for mechanical circulatory support device (MCSD) implant or who have been readmitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with a CF-LVAD will be recruited and randomized to usual care or usual care plus ETCO2-NC throughout their stay in the ICU. Investigators seek to examine the relationship between ETCO2-NC with traditional physiologic measures, clinical assessments, and participant reported symptoms in persons with a CF-LVAD. Additionally, this study intends to compare the respiratory outcomes of extubated persons with a CF-LVAD randomized to usual care to those receiving usual care plus ETCO2- NC.