Caring for Patients With Ventricular Assist Devices: A Mini-Review of the Literature

The Longest Living Patient Supported With Left Ventricular Assist Device (14 Years)

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) improve survival and reduce symptoms in patients with advanced heart failure; however, the longer-term durability of LVADs remains uncertain especially with older-generation devices. In this case report, we describe the clinical course of a patient who has been successfully treated with the same HeartMate II LVAD for 14 years, the longest published and still ongoing LVAD support with the same originally implanted device.

Moving forwards to patient-centred care for patients with ventricular assist devices: A mixed methods study of nurses' perspectives

OBJECTIVES

To identify nurses' caring behaviours toward patients with left ventricular assist devices and deepen their understanding of experiences in nursing care. Patients with left ventricular assist devices require care in many aspects, but there is limited in-depth research about caring behaviours and experiences from the perspective of nurses providing care.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/DESIGN

Mixed methods study with a sequential explanatory design. Data were collected from clinical nurses with experience caring for patients using left ventricular assist devices in South Korea between May-August 2022.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Quantitative data (n = 79) were collected through an online survey of the Caring Behaviours Inventory - 24 and analysed using descriptive statistics. For qualitative data (n = 15), nurses' caring experiences were collected through individual interviews and analysed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method.

RESULTS

The overall average of caring behaviours was 4.80 ± 0.85, specifically, 'knowledge and skill' (5.04 ± 0.78), 'assurance' (5.01 ± 0.79), 'respect' (4.85 ± 0.90), and 'connectedness' (4.04 ± 0.99), respectively. The experience of caring was trapped in the uncomfortable reality of left ventricular assist device nursing, causing device-focused care, and approaching the essence of nursing through care focused on the patient's wholeness.

CONCLUSIONS

Caring for patients with a left ventricular assist devices was challenging for nurses. However, through the care process, they realised the meaning of patient-centred care, reflected in the essence of nursing, and sublimated it into an opportunity to grow.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

Nurses must focus on patient-centred care for left ventricular assist devices. To achieve this, it is essential to create a clinical environment and educational system for nurses to provide effective nursing care and enhance patient participation.