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Left Ventricular Assist Device Adjustment Impacted By Patient Trajectory: A Qualitative Exploratory Study, Brittany Rhoades

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Background: Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) are used as advanced therapy for advanced heart failure in order to sustain patients until a heart transplant is available (bridge to transplant, ‘BTT’) or until the end of life (destination therapy, ‘DT’). Despite the differences in treatment trajectory, BTT and DT patients are provided the same education. Currently it is unknown if the two groups compare to living with the LVAD regarding adjustment.

Aims: The aim of this study was to explore LVAD patient experience, describe how patients construct the impact of the LVAD on daily life and self-care and compare the findings …