1. Patient Case Study
Emily Walker
Dietetic Intern
Benedictine University: MS Nutrition and Wellness

2. Patient Demographics and Social History
Age 34
Gender Male
Race African American
Relevant personal data Lives at home with his wife and young
son
Smoking/Alcohol Use Drinks alcohol socially. Reports
quitting 2 years ago; 1 pack/day for 5
years. No illicit drug use.

3. Food and Nutrition Related History
• Enjoys cooking, grilling at home
• Reports preference for meats, some rich foods
• Reports frequent intake of fast food in past years
• No dietary restrictions. Includes all food groups in his diet.
• Usual body weight per patient recall 330-400 pounds over recent
years

4. Past Medical History
• CHF: Diagnosed at age 27
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy
• EF 30%
• 2013: Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator due
to non-sustained ventricular tachycardia
• Morbid Obesity BMI >40
• Type II diabetes mellitus
• CKD, Stage II
• Pulmonary HTN, Essential HTN
• Hyperlipidemia
• Sleep Apnea
• GERD
• CVA
• Extrinsic Asthma
Patient known well to Edward, has been followed by physicians at HF Clinic. Patient had been
approved for LVAD at the end of January.

5. Admission: Edward Hospital Naperville, IL
• 12/31/2015
• ER: Syncope and collapse
• Increased SOB with activity
and difficulty lying flat
• Noticed increased swelling
• Recent weight gain of 25#
• BMI: 45.26

6. Admission: Medical Diagnoses and
Plan
• Decompensated cardiomyopathy; acute on chronic
biventricular systolic heart failure, EF 10-15%
• Milirone
• Scheduled for LVAD end of January, 2016.
May need sooner
• Syncope
• Ventricular Tachycardia
• Non-sustained ventricular tachycardia
• SubQ ICD: Interrogated from Boston
Scientific
• CKD Stage III
• GFR stable
• Aggressive Diuretics
• Dyslipidemia
• Statin
• DM2, well controlled
• SSI

7. Pathophysiology: Cardiomyopathy
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy
• Most common
• Male gender
• Left ventricle often affected first
• Risk factors/causes: Idiopathic, genetic,
diabetes, alcohol use, certain drugs
• Drug use: Growth hormone excess has
been associated with left ventricular
hypertrophy while anabolic steroids have
been associated both with myocardial
hypertrophy, focal myocardial fibrosis, and
premature myocardial infarction2
3

8. Pathophysiology: CHF5
• Congestive Heart Failure: Inability of the heart to provide sufficient blood
flow to meet metabolic demands of tissues at rest and during exercise.
• Ejection fraction (EF) decreases as HF worsens
• As blood flow slows blood returning to the heart through the veins backs up
causing congestion in the body's tissues.
• Edema; SOB (fluid collection in pleural regions)
• HF affects kidneys ability to dispose of water and sodium
• Etiology for this Patient:
• Acute LV systolic dysfunction due to dilated cardiomyopathy

9. Cardiologist Conclusion
• Left Ventricle: Cavity size markedly increased. Wall thickness
normal. Systolic function markedly reduced. EF 10-15%
• Mitral Valve: Dilated, moderate regurgitation
• Left Atrium: Volume markedly increased
• Right Ventricle: The cavity size upper limits of normal. Systolic
function low normal.
• Tricuspid valve: Structurally normal, moderate regurgitation
• Severe pulmonary HTN
• CONCLUSION: NYHA CLASS IV Acute on Chronic
Systolic HF.
• Two year survival rate for NYHA Stage IV heart failure is 13-40%5
4

10. Medical Options for Stage IV HF5
• Medical/Nutrition Management: Diuretics, ACE inhibitors, Beta-
blockers, digitalis, dietary salt restriction, fluid restriction
• Mechanical Circulatory Support: LVAD
• Heart transplantation: patient is not eligible due to weight of 350#
• Continuous IV inotrope infusions for palliation
• Hospice care

11. Patient Medical Progression
• 1/04: Patient feels “horrible.” Abdominal cramping/pain, nausea, vomiting,
SOB, edema worsens, hyponatremia, metabolic acidosis.
• Medical team determines LVAD surgery will occur 1/13
• 1/06: Right heart catheterization procedure performed
• 1/08: LVAD placement moved up to 1/11
• 1/11: Destination Heart Mate II Left Ventricular Assist Device Placement

12. Medical/Surgical Intervention: LVAD5
• Ventricular Assist Device: Mechanical
pump that assists the weakened ventricle by
pumping heart throughout the blood and
body
• Left Ventricular Assist Device: LV changes
from pumping chamber to filling chamber.
LVAD receives blood from the LV and
pumps it into the aorta

13. Heart Mate II

14. Fang, JC, NEJM, 2009

15. Patient Medical Care Post LVAD
• 1/12: S/p LVAD intubated and sedated in CCU
• 1/13: Extubated, awake, alert. No N/V/D. No
cough or SOB.
• Followed by cardiology:
• Dilated CM s/p LVAD
• Acute Systolic CHF EF 10-15% with moderate RV
dysfunction
• Cardiogenic Shock
• Required aggressive diuresis with dobatamine drips
and diuretic drips
• Followed by nephrology: AKI/CKD
• Kidney function eventually stabilized
• Followed by endocrinology: DM
• HgbA1c= 5.9%
• Developed: Acute gout flare, blood loss
anemia, leukocytosis
• Eventually stable enough to be discharged to
rehab facility on oral diuretics

16. Lab Value Admission Post LVAD Discharge
Glucose 65-99 mg/dL 211 (H) 120 (H) 134 (H)
HGBA1C 4-5.6% 5.9 % “ “
BUN 6-20 mg/dL 81 (H) 98 (H) 74 (H)
Creatinine 0.76-1.27 mg/dL 2.71 (H) 2.54 (H) 1.99 (H)
GFR >=60 31 (L) 37 (L) 49 (L)
Albumin 3.5-4.8 g/dL 3.5 2.8 (L) 2.9 (L)
CALCIUM 8.7-10.2 mg/dL 9.6 9.1 9.3
Sodium 134-144 mmol/L 134 (L) 135 (L) 131 (L)
Potassium 3.5-5.2 mmol/L 4.4 4.3 3.5 (L)
Chloride 97-108 mmol/L 95 (L) 99 (L) 98 (L)
Beta Natriuretic Peptide
2-99 pg/mL 2917 (H) - -
Lactate Dehydrogenase 84-249 U/L 317 (H) 450 (H) 358 (H)
AST(SGOT) 0-40 IU/L 43(H) 86(H) 32
INR 0.86-1.15 1.55 (H) 1.30 (H) 2.70(H)
Hemoglobin 12.6-17.7 g/dL 9.4 (L) 8.8 (L) 12.2 (L)
Hematocrit 37.5-51.0 % 28.1 (L) 24.2 (L) 34.5 (L)

17. Nutrition: RD Patient Care
Assessment, Diagnoses, Monitoring and
Evaluation

18. Dates Appetite Nutrition
Risk
Intervention Education Diet & Supplements
1/04 Poor. <50% intake Moderate • Meals and snacks: Monitor PO intake. Encourage adequate
intake of current diet
• Supplements: RD added Ensure Plus TID with goal of
increasing calorie and protein consumption due to a poor
PO intake from foods
• Importance of adequate
protein consumption:
high protein foods
• Management of poor
appetite
• Cardiac, 1800 mL fluid
restriction
• Ensure Plus TID
1/14 Poor. Does not want to
eat solid high protein
foods, such as meat.
<50% intake
Moderate • Meals and Snacks: Monitor PO intake of solid food.
Encourage adequate intake of solid foods.
• Supplements: RD changed supplements to 6 Nepro per day.
This will be for his kcal, protein and fluid for the day. This
will provide 2700 kcal, 156 gm protein and 1560 ml fluid
(including 1 cup of ice.) This meets 100% kcal needs and
96% protein needs.
No new education • Cardiac, 1800 kcal
diabetic, 1500 mL FR,
day
• 6 Nepro per day
1/15 Change from Nepro
Ensure Plus per patient
flavor preference.
Patient is still not eating
solid food.
Moderate • Ensure plus 6 cans per day with 2 packets of beneprotein
mix in per can. This will provide 2430 kcal and 150 gm
protein and 1440 ml fluid. Meeting 100% kcal need and
93% protein needs.
No new education • Cardiac, 1800 kcal
diabetic, 1500 mL FR,
day
• 6 Ensure + 12
beneprotein
1/18 Pt is eating more solid
foods. 50-75% including
supplements.
Moderate • Meals and Snacks: Encourage PO intake of solid foods. 3
day calorie count started
• Supplements: Reduce to Ensure Plus TID
• Reinforce importance
of increased protein
consumption
• Cardiac, 1800 kcal
diabetic, 1800 mL FR,
• Ensure Plus TID
1/22 Pt is eating solid foods,
drinking supplement,
struggling with quick
satiety
Moderate • Meals and Snacks: Encourage PO intake of solid foods. 3
day calorie count started
• Supplements: Ensure Plus TID
• Education on small
frequent meals/nutrient
dense foods
• Cardiac, 1800 kcal
diabetic, 1800 mL FR
• Ensure Plus TID
Past RD Patient Assessments and Interventions

19. Calorie Count Results
Date: 1/19
Breakfast: 280 calories, 6 gm protein
Snack:750 calories, 38 gm protein. (this
includes 2 Ensure Plus supplements and
2 Beneprotein packets)
Lunch:181 calories, 12 gm protein
Dinner: 365 calories, 29 gm protein
Daily total: 826 calories, 22 grams
protein to meet 41% pt calorie needs
and 29% pt protein needs (with oral
supplements--1576 kcal, 60 gm
protein )
Date: 1/20
Breakfast: 345 calories, 18 gm
protein
Snack:725 calories, 32 gm protein.
(this includes 2 Ensure Plus
supplements and 1 Beneprotein
packet)
Lunch:175 calories, 15 gm protein
Snack: 240 calories, 7 gm protein
Daily total: 1485 calories, 72
grams protein to meet~ 74% pt
calorie needs and 44% pt protein
needs
Date: 1/21
Breakfast: 400 calories, 27 gm
protein
Lunch: 229 calories, 19 gm protein
Dinner: 258 calories, 17 gm
protein
Ensure/Beneprotein: 1200
calories, 75 gm protein
Daily total: 2087 calories, 138
grams protein to meet >100% pt
calorie needs and ~85% pt
protein needs

20. 1/26: Anthropometrics
1/26
Height 185.4 cm (6' 0.99")
Weight 150 kg (330 lb )
BMI 43.64
IBW 80.9 kg (178 lb)
% IBW 185%
WEIGHT HISTORY:
• 1/26/16: 150 kg (330 lb.)
• 1/22/16: 155.6 kg (343 lb)
• 01/07/16 : 154.5 kg (340 lb 9.8 oz)
• 12/29/15 : 152.499 kg (336 lb 3.2 oz)
• 12/15/15 : 150.1 kg (330 lb 14.6 oz)
• 11/22/15 : 154.677 kg (341 lb)

21. 1/26: Nutrition Assessment
• Appetite: Fair-Good. Appetite is improved. Patient is
able to eat a majority of breakfast and lunch. Patient
feels full towards dinner time, and is only able to eat a
small amount. Patient is drinking Ensure Plus TID
• Patient is fixated on getting a certain number of
grams of protein per day (>120g)
• Patient has high motivation to adhere to prescribed
diet to become healthier. Interest in cooking healthy
meals.
• Nutrition Risk: Moderate

22. Nutritional Implications of a LVAD7
• Poor nutrition status is an independent indicator of mortality in advanced heart failure patients
• Malnutrition is a preoperative risk factor associated with a high risk of death
• Obesity is not a contraindication of using an LVAD; it is for a transplant
• Post-op Recommendations:
• Liberalize diet
• Oral supplements
• Frequent meals
• Multivitamin, iron supplements
• Poor appetite due to poor perfusion, congestion, hepatomegaly and inactivity common: possible appetite
stimulants

23. Nutrition Diagnoses
1. Inadequate oral intake related to decreased ability to consume
adequate energy secondary to LVAD placement as evidenced by
quick satiety and need for oral supplements three times a day to
satisfy needs
• Immediate problem to address. Inpatient intervention focuses on this diagnosis.
2. Overweight/obesity related to long term high caloric diet as
evidenced by BMI of 43
• Long term issue. Patient must lose weight to be eligible to be on the heart transplant list

24. Nutrition Prescription
NUTRITION PRESCRIPTION:
• Calories: 2020-2430 calories/day (25-30 calories per kg pt IBW)
• Protein: 121-162 grams protein/day (1.5-2 grams protein per kg pt IBW - to
monitor given pt renal function)
• Increased protein needs to promote tissue healing status post LVAD
• Fluid: ~1800 ml/day per MD order
• CHF related fluid retention
• CKD Stage III

25. Intervention
• Meals and Snacks: Encourage adequate intake of diet through small frequent
meals. Encourage taking advantage of appetite and eating when hungry,
instead of forcing food when full. Encouraged nutrient dense healthy choices.
• Supplements: Continue Ensure Plus, decrease to BID. Recommend weaning
off Ensure as intake by mouth increases.
• Education:
• Reinforce HF education: 1500 mg sodium, 1500 mL fluid
• Label reading, restaurant foods, convenience foods, processed foods.
• Handouts provided
• Education on nutrient dense foods, foods high in protein
• Information on general, healthful nutrition

26. Monitoring and Evaluation
Goals
• 1. PO intake to meet at least 75% patient nutrition prescription
• Patient to consume 75% of dinner
• 2. At least 75% intake of oral supplements
• 3. No signs of skin breakdown
• 4. Maintain lean body mass

27. Secondary Nutrition Diagnosis: Long Term
• Intervention
• Once short term problem evolved  Focus on developing a sustainable healthy diet
that promotes a gradual weight loss
• Meals and snacks: Elimination of fast foods, limiting restaurant foods, alteration in
cooking methods, emphasis on increasing vegetable and fruit consumption, focusing on
lean protein sources, whole grains, limiting processed foods
• Physical activity: If physician improved incorporate regular physical activity- start off
slowly

28. Secondary Nutrition Diagnosis: Monitoring and
Evaluation
• Patient goals
1. Consistent BMI < 35 to be eligible for heart transplant.
1. Most heart transplant centers will not take patients with BMIs
> 35. Obesity increases the risk of heart failure and leads to
worse outcomes after heart transplantation6
2. Goal weight <= 265#
2. To engage in light to moderate physical activity 2-3 days per
week.
3. Reduce consumption of fast food to <1 time per week
• Patient has high motivation to make changes to improve his
health!

29. References
1. Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). 2016. Available at:
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/Cardiomyopathy/Dilated-
Cardiomyopathy_UCM_444187_Article.jsp#.VsKdBJMrKt8 [Accessed February 16, 2016].
2. Mark PB. Cardiomyopathy induced by performance enhancing drugs in a competitive bodybuilder. Heart. 2005;91(7):888–888.
3. GeneDx. Dilated Cardiomyopathy genetic testing - genetic testing company | the DNA diagnostic experts. Available at:
http://www.genedx.com/test-catalog/cardiology/dilated-cardiomyopathy/ [Accessed February 16, 2016].
4. Available at: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/pictures/humanbody/heartdiagram.html [Accessed February 16, 2016].
5. Grady K. Clinical Management for Patients with Destination Therapy Left Ventricular Assist Devices. Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute;
Northwestern University; 2011. Available at: https://my.americanheart.org/idc/groups/ahamah-
public/@wcm/@sop/@scon/documents/downloadable/ucm_427332.pdf [Accessed 2016].
6. HFSA: Few obese patients qualify for heart transplants. 2010. Available at:
http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/HFSA/22192 [Accessed February 17, 2016].
7. LVAD Nutrition Recommendations Fact Sheet. Edward Hospital Naperville.