The author addresses the different stages a patient may experience prior to receiving a VAD (Ventricular Assist Device, beginning with the various reasons for gaining venous access and specific challenges this may present e.g. age, acute and chronic disease processes, anatomical anomalies and cosmetic issues.

This book addresses all the issues a patient may experience prior to receiving a VAD. Selection of equipment, practical aspects of technique, the pros and cons of the various veins, and modifications of technique for certain circumstances are examined. Covereage also includes the roles played by radiologists, anaesthetists, surgeons, nurses, and other team memebers. Throughout the chapters a reference is made to the IV Therapy Standards published by the Royal College of Nursing IV Therapy Forum in 2003. Each chapter is evidence based and fully referenced.