Canadian Cardiovascular Society
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5. Driving: Congestive Heart Failure, Left Ventricular Dysfunction, Cardiomyopathy, Transplantation

HF, LV Dysfunction, CM, Transplatation — Conditions

NYHA Class I

  • Private driving is permitted with no restriction.
  • Commercial driving is permitted only if LVEF ≥35%.

NYHA Class II

  • Private driving is permitted with no restriction.
  • Commercial driving is permitted only if LVEF ≥35%.

NYHA Class III

  • Private driving is permitted with no restriction.
  • Commercial driving is not permitted (disqualified).

NYHA Class IV; Receiving intermittent outpatient or home inotropes

  • Private driving is not permitted (disqualified)
  • Commercial driving is not permitted (disqualified).

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD)

  • Private driving is permitted for patients with a continuous flow LVAD who are stable 2 months post implantation and are NYHA class I-III.
  • Commercial driving is not permitted (disqualified).

Heart transplant

  • Private driving is permitted beginning 6 weeks after discharge, is NYHA Class I or II, is on stable immunotherapy, AND is undergoing annual reassessment.
  • Commercial driving is permitted beginning 6 months after discharge, if NYHA Class I, only if LVEF ≥35%, is undergoing annual reassessment, AND annual non-invasive test of ischemic burden shows no evidence of active ischemia.
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