Pleasant Valley resident Jim Ruffell was invited to the Pleasant Valley Fire District's Station 1 on April 17th by EMT Barbara Oakes to discuss his LVAD, which is a life-extending cardiac treatment and to discuss necessary care by responding EMS.

LVAD (left ventricular assist device) is a mechanical device used in the treatment of end stage heart failure. It is implanted in the heart and pump blood from the lower left heart chamber (left ventricle) to the rest of the body.

A control unit and battery pack are worn outside the body and are connected to the LVAD through a small opening (port) in the skin.

Representatives from Millbrook FD, Roosevelt FD, East Fishkill FD, Lagrange FD, Empress EMS, and DCC EMS faculty attended this training to learn assessment and treatment skills for this very specific life saving device.

Special thanks to Jim for coming out to PVFD and showing us all his LVAD.