Gastric POCUS, 3-Part Episode

This is a challenging question that few people answer correctly! Most anesthesiologists do not know contraindications to left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement. Placement of an left ventricular assist device (LVAD) improves forward flow and typically reduces mitral regurgitation; therefore, this is not a contraindication to placement. Severe mitral stenosis must be corrected as it is an impediment to flow into the LVAD's inflow cannula. An atrial septal defect (or significant PFO) could result in right to left shunting and hypoxemia. Severe aortic regurgitation would cause most of the flow out of the LVAD's outflow cannula to go back into the left ventricle instead of systemically.