On this page
Asset Type
Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots catheter recognition and connection problems caused by loose connections, incorrect setup, damaged tubing, contamination, or incompatible accessories.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Maintain Hemodynamic Support
If the Cardiosave is supporting a patient, do not disconnect or manipulate the balloon catheter solely for troubleshooting without coordination with the clinical team. If counterpulsation is unavailable or unreliable, immediately support transfer to another verified IABP or the clinically appropriate alternative.
Do not troubleshoot unreliable therapeutic equipment while a patient depends on it.
Expected outcome: The patient remains appropriately supported while Clinical Engineering evaluates the equipment.
2. Confirm the Exact Reported Condition
Ask staff what occurred when the catheter was connected. Determine whether the system never recognized the catheter, recognition was intermittent, or the problem began following transport, repositioning, or a catheter/tubing change.
Observe the displayed status and alarms without changing therapy configuration.
Expected outcome: The failure is reproduced or clearly characterized. If the catheter is now consistently recognized and operation is verified, troubleshooting can stop.
3. Inspect the External Catheter Connections
Visually inspect all accessible catheter and pneumatic connections for incomplete seating, looseness, contamination, fluid intrusion, damaged fittings, kinks, or obvious physical damage.
Do not manipulate the invasive catheter at the patient insertion site.
Expected outcome: Connections are secure, correctly seated, clean, and undamaged. If correcting an external connection restores reliable recognition, verify operation and stop troubleshooting.
4. Inspect External Tubing and Connectors
Trace the accessible tubing from the catheter connection to the pump. Look for pinching, sharp bends, compression by bed hardware, damaged tubing, loose adapters, or improperly assembled external components.
Expected outcome: The external pneumatic path is intact and unobstructed. If repositioning or correcting an external connection restores reliable operation, troubleshooting can stop.
5. Verify the Intended Catheter and Accessory Configuration
Confirm that the connected catheter, adapters, and external accessories are intended for use with the Cardiosave configuration in service. Compare the setup with another verified configuration or approved documentation when uncertainty exists.
Do not substitute unapproved components.
Expected outcome: The catheter and accessory configuration is appropriate. If an incorrect external component is identified and replaced with the correct approved component, verify recognition and stop troubleshooting.
6. Inspect the Pump-Side Connection Area
With the device safely removed from active patient dependence when necessary, inspect accessible pump-side ports for bent or damaged fittings, contamination, foreign material, looseness, or evidence of impact.
Do not disassemble the internal pneumatic system.
Expected outcome: The accessible connection interface is physically intact. Visible damage requires removal from service.
7. Compare With a Known-Good Approved Setup
When clinically and technically appropriate, use an approved known-good catheter simulator, test accessory, or equivalent manufacturer-supported test setup to determine whether the recognition problem follows the external catheter assembly or remains with the pump.
Do not use a patient catheter as a bench-test device.
Expected outcome: The comparison helps isolate the problem to the external setup or the Cardiosave. If the pump operates normally with the approved test setup, address the defective external component and verify operation.
8. Verify Basic Device Operation
Confirm the Cardiosave completes normal startup and that no unrelated power, pneumatic, display, or control problem is present that could interfere with catheter recognition.
Expected outcome: The pump operates normally apart from the reported catheter issue. Multiple system abnormalities require escalation.
9. Perform Final Functional Verification
After correcting an external cause, test the system using approved manufacturer procedures and appropriate test equipment. Verify consistent catheter recognition, normal controls, alarms, and expected pumping operation before return to service.
Expected outcome: Catheter recognition remains stable throughout testing. If all required checks pass, troubleshooting can stop.
10. Escalate an Unresolved Recognition Problem
If recognition remains absent or intermittent after external connections, accessories, tubing, and approved test substitutions have been checked, stop external troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: The device is removed from clinical use and referred for service-level evaluation.
If the Problem Persists
Common external causes have been ruled out. Remaining possibilities include a pump-side catheter interface problem, pneumatic system fault, sensor/interface failure, configuration issue, or another internal condition requiring manufacturer-level diagnosis.
The device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation
- Evaluated using appropriate Getinge documentation and approved test equipment
- Repaired or configured only by qualified personnel
Do not perform deep disassembly or board-level troubleshooting. Following repair, complete all applicable operational, alarm, pneumatic, electrical safety, and return-to-service testing before clinical use.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Never interrupt functioning balloon support simply to investigate an equipment complaint; establish safe alternate support before disconnecting a patient-dependent IABP.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported that the Cardiosave intermittently failed to recognize the connected balloon catheter."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the external catheter connection at the pump was not fully seated."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering reseated the connection, verified stable catheter recognition and normal functional operation, and returned the unit to service after required testing."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact displayed alarm or status message
- Whether recognition was absent or intermittent
- Catheter and accessory configuration
- Condition of external tubing and connectors
- Evidence of contamination or physical damage
- Known-good test setup used
- Results before and after correction
- Device operation during final verification
- Final device status
- Exact displayed alarm or status message
- Whether recognition was absent or intermittent
- Catheter and accessory configuration
- Condition of external tubing and connectors
- Evidence of contamination or physical damage
- Known-good test setup used
- Results before and after correction
- Device operation during final verification
- Final device status
Final Thought
Patient support comes first. Verify external catheter connections, tubing, accessories, and setup before assuming an internal Cardiosave failure. Escalate persistent recognition problems appropriately and document the complaint, verified cause, corrective action, and final testing clearly.
That is successful troubleshooting.