Decision-making for destination therapy left ventricular assist devices: implications for caregivers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Implanting centers often require the identification of a dedicated caregiver before destination therapy left ventricular assist device (DT LVAD) implantation; however, the caregiver experience surrounding this difficult decision is relatively unexplored.

Methods and results

From October 2012 through July 2013, we conducted semistructured, in-depth interviews with caregivers of patients considering DT LVAD. Data were analyzed using a mixed inductive and deductive approach. We interviewed 17 caregivers: 10 caregivers of patients living with DT LVAD, 6 caregivers of patients who had died with DT LVAD, and 1 caregiver of a patient who had declined DT LVAD. The themes identified, which could also be considered dialectical tensions, are broadly interpreted under 3 domai

SUBMITTER: McIlvennan CK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4365422 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature