Palliative medicine consultation for preparedness planning in patients receiving left ventricular assist devices as destination therapy.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To assess the benefit of proactive palliative medicine consultation for delineation of goals of care and quality-of-life preferences before implantation of left ventricular assist devices as destination therapy (DT).

Patients and methods

We retrospectively reviewed the cases of patients who received DT between January 15, 2009, and January 1, 2010.

Results

Of 19 patients identified, 13 (68%) received proactive palliative medicine consultation. Median time of palliative medicine consultation was 1 day before DT implantation (range, 5 days before to 16 days after). Thirteen patients (68%) completed advance directives. The DT implantation team and families reported that preimplantation discussions and goals of care planning made postoperative care more clear an

SUBMITTER: Swetz KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3104909 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature