Table 3. Criteria for Exercise Contraindications in Ventricular Assist Device Recipients

Criteria
Symptoms and signs compatible with exercise intolerance (light headedness, severe intolerable dyspnea, chest pain or discomfort, tachycardia and exaggerated blood pressure response
Symptomatic hypotension (fainting, dizziness, or diaphoresis, as extreme fatigue or claudication and new onset of neurological changes)
Supine resting heart rate > 100 beats per minute
Oxygen saturation < 90%
VAD complications during or after exercise sessions
 a. VAD alarm : Significant drop in LVAD flow, suction alarm
 b. Complex and frequent ventricular arrhythmia on exertion
 c. Infection, mainly at the driveline site
 d. Evidence of bleeding
 e. Thrombus
Request of VAD recipient to stop
Increase >1.8 kg in body mass over the previous 1 to 3 days
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator intervention
VAD: ventricular assist device, LVAD: left ventricular assist device