Withdrawal of Left Ventricular Assist Devices: A Retrospective Analysis from a Single Institution

Withdrawal of Left Ventricular Assist Device in Dementia: A Case Report

Left ventricular assistance devices (LVADs) are one type of life support with the unique quality of allowing recipients to live outside the hospital. This case report explores the decision by a patient and their family to withdraw LVAD therapy in the setting of dementia and consultant team recommendations at odds with one another due to the patient's simultaneous alertness and lack of decisional capacity. It then discusses the guiding principles that led to the withdrawal of LVAD therapy and lessons drawn from the experience by the care team.

Theory of Pivoting Uncertainties: Advance Care Planning Among Individuals Living With Mechanical Circulatory Support

BACKGROUND

Individuals living with mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices are confronted with risks for catastrophic outcomes such as stroke and systemic infection. Considering these complexities, ongoing advance care planning (ACP) is important for shared decision making.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to describe how experiences of the MCS trajectory informed decision making about ACP.

METHODS

All aspects of the research were guided by constructivist grounded theory. Focused conversations were conducted with a semistructured interview guide.

RESULTS

A total of 24 community-dwelling patients living with MCS were interviewed (33% female; mean age, 60.6 years; 50% White). Participants were implanted with MCS (average duration, 29.8 months; bridge to transplant, 58%). Reflected in the narratives were tensions between initial expectations of living with the device in contrast with the realities that emerged over time. A crucial finding was that ACP decision making pivoted around the growing awareness of uncertainties in the MCS trajectory. Yet, clinicians were perceived to be silent in initiating ACP, and their reticence was understood as a sign of encouragement to hold on to hope for a heart transplant. The complex and dynamic decision-making processes around ACP were organized into the theory of pivoting uncertainties.

CONCLUSIONS

In this sample, patients were ready to share their concerns about the uncertainties of living with MCS and waited for MCS clinicians to initiate ACP. The theory of pivoting uncertainties is useful for elucidating the ebb and flow of ACP and lending clinicians' guidance for opportunities to initiate these sensitive conversations.

The Complex Ethical and Moral Experience of Left Ventricular Assist Device Deactivation

The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a fully implantable cardiac replacement device that can complicate the process of dying. We present a case of a patient who attempted to deactivate the LVAD without the support of his medical team. This action was understood as a "suicide attempt" though when the patient was later felt to be dying, LVAD deactivation proceeded without reference to psychiatric illness. To understand this case, we discuss the ethics of LVAD deactivation in the dying process. We then explore the experience of clinicians and the public encountering this unique technology across clinical contexts. We herein present a novel and possibly controversial analysis of the moral complexities of LVAD deactivation and suggest that clinicians be transparent about these complexities with patients and families.

Clinical Protocol for Left Ventricular Assist Device Deactivation at End of Life

As patients live longer with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support, many will either suffer an acute event or develop a gradual, progressive disease that results in a terminal prognosis. At the end-of-life, patients, and more often, their families, will be faced with the decision to deactivate the LVAD to allow natural death. The process of LVAD deactivation carries some distinct features that distinguish it from withdrawal of other forms of life-sustaining medical technology: multidisciplinary collaboration is paramount; prognosis after deactivation is short, typically minutes-hours; and premedication doses of symptom-focused medications are typically higher than other situations involving withdrawal of life-sustaining medical technologies given the precipitous decline in cardiac output following LVAD deactivation. In this Case Discussion, we introduce the complexity of planned in-hospital LVAD deactivation through a clinical case, share our detailed institutional checklist and order set for LVAD deactivation, and broach multidisciplinary clinical protocol development processes.

A Bridge to Nowhere: Enabling Autonomy in a Case of Failed ECMO Rescue of Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Toxicity

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) can be a life-saving intervention in cases of potentially reversible refractory respiratory failure. One such indication can be bleomycin-induced lung injury. However, in some cases, the injury can be so severe that it becomes irreversible and creates complex medical decisions regarding life support and the continuation of care when no additional therapeutic options are feasible, particularly in cases of patients who were young and fully functional prior to an acute illness. In cases of full pulmonary replacement with mechanical support and the degree of functionality that can be attained utilizing modalities such as ECMO can obscure the true severity of illness and make end-of-life decisions significantly harder for families and caregivers.

The role of temporary mechanical circulatory support as a bridge to advanced heart failure therapies or recovery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Temporary mechanical circulatory support (tMCS) has become central in the treatment of refractory cardiogenic shock and can be used to bridge patients to durable MCS, heart transplant or recovery. This review will discuss contemporary data regarding bridging strategies utilizing tMCS.

RECENT FINDINGS

There has been significant growth in tMCS use recently, driven by increased familiarity with tMCS devices, and increased experience with both implantation and management. Identifying goals of therapy at the time of therapy initiation can facilitate better outcomes. The three primary goals are bridge to recovery, bridge to heart transplantation or bridge to durable left ventricular assist device. Bridging to recovery requires adequate treatment of underlying conditions and optimization of haemodynamics. Bridging to heart transplantation has become more frequent following changes to the heart allocation policy. Despite early concerns, patients bridge with tMCS, including ventricular-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, do not appear to have worse posttransplant outcomes. When bridging to durable mechanical circulatory support, tMCS can be used to enhance end-organ dysfunction and improve perioperative outcomes. In situations in which none of these goals are attainable, palliative care plays a critical role to identify patient wishes and assist with withdrawal of care when necessary.

SUMMARY

The use of tMCS, as a bridge to recovery or heart replacement therapy in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock has grown significantly over the past decade. Multiple device choices are available and must be chosen appropriately to address the specific situation and the goals of therapy.

Ethical and Legal Concerns Associated With Withdrawing Mechanical Circulatory Support: A U.S. Perspective

Hundreds of thousands of Americans have advanced heart failure and experience severe symptoms (e. g., dyspnea) with minimal exertion or at rest despite optimal management. Although heart transplant is an effective treatment for advanced heart failure, the demand for organs far exceeds the supply. Another option for these patients is mechanical circulatory support (MCS) provided by devices such as the ventricular assist device and total artificial heart. MCS alleviates symptoms, prolongs life, and provides a “bridge to transplant” or a decision regarding future management such as “destination therapy,” in which the patient receives lifelong MCS. However, a patient receiving MCS, or his/her surrogate decision-maker, may conclude ongoing MCS is burdensome and no longer consistent with the patient's healthcare-related values, goals, and preferences and, as a result, request withdrawal of MCS. Likewise, the patient's clinician and care team may conclude ongoing MCS is medically ineffective and recommend its withdrawal. These scenarios raise ethical and legal concerns. In the U.S., it is ethically and legally permissible to carry out an informed patient's or surrogate's request to withdraw any treatment including life-sustaining treatment (LST) if the intent is to remove a treatment perceived by the patient as burdensome and not to terminate intentionally the patient's life. Under these circumstances, death that follows withdrawal of the LST is due to the underlying disease and not a form of physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia. In this article, frequently encountered ethical and legal concerns regarding requests to withdraw MCS are reviewed: the ethical and legal permissibility of withholding or withdrawing LSTs from patients who no longer want such treatments; what to do if the clinician concludes ongoing LST will not result in achieving clinical goals (i.e., medically ineffective); responding to requests to withdraw LST; the features of patients who undergo withdrawal of MCS; the rationale for advance care planning in patients being considered for, or receiving, MCS; and other related topics. Notably, this article reflects a U.S. perspective.

[Psychological aspects during and after intensive care treatment of ARDS]

Approximately 10% of all patients requiring intensive care develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The COVID-19 pandemic led to an accumulation of patients with severe ARDS. The experience of this severe respiratory failure is accompanied by feelings of existential anxiety in many patients.The complexity of the challenges and stresses that the disease and its treatment pose for the ARDS patient require an early multiprofessional approach to treatment already during intensive care. Psychological approaches are suitable to support the patient as well as the relatives in coping with the disease and to minimise risks for potential subsequent stress. Despite the long-term impairments of patients who have survived ARDS and the resulting need for follow-up care, suitable multimodal follow-up care concepts and the necessary care structures are still lacking. The article presents the psychological support during and after the intensive care treatment of ARDS.

Withdrawal of Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support in Patients With Capacity

CONTEXT

Little is known about the real-time decision-making process of patients with capacity to choose withdrawal of temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS).

OBJECTIVES

To assess how withdrawal of temporary MCS occurs when patients possess the capacity to make this decision themselves.

METHODS

This retrospective case series included adults supported by CentriMag Acute Circulatory Support or Veno-Arterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation from February 2, 2007 to May 27, 2020 at a tertiary academic medical center who possessed capacity to participate in end-of-life discussions. Authors performed chart review to determine times between "initiation of temporary MCS," "determination of 'bridge to nowhere,'" "patient expressing desire to withdraw," "agreement to withdraw," "withdrawal," and "death," as well as reasons for withdrawal and the role of ethics, psychiatry, and palliative care.

RESULTS

A total of 796 individuals were included. MCS was withdrawn in 178 (22.4%) of cases. Six of these 178 patients (3.4%) possessed the capacity to decide to withdraw MCS. Time between "patient expressing desire to withdraw" and "agreement to withdraw" ranged from 0 to 3 days; time between "agreement to withdraw" and "withdrawal" ranged from 0 to 6 days. Common reasons for withdrawal include perceived decline in quality of life or low probability of recovery. Ethics and psychiatry were consulted in 3 of 6 cases and palliative care in 5 of 6 cases.

CONCLUSION

While it is rare for patients on MCS to request withdrawal, such cases provide insight into reasons for withdrawal and the important roles of multidisciplinary teams in helping patients and families through end-of-life decision-making.

The Fountain of Youth Will Not Last Forever: End of Life in Patients Receiving Mechanical Circulatory Support

Health care providers face a unique set of decision-making, assessment, and equipment challenges at the end of life of patients supported with a left ventricular assist device. The aim for this article is to assist the multidisciplinary team in caring for patients with a left ventricular assist device in all phases of end-of-life care. This review includes common causes of death for patients with a left ventricular assist device, assessment at end of life, physiological and palliative care considerations, withdrawal of left ventricular assist device support, and equipment considerations.

Perceptions of Bereaved Caregivers and Clinicians About End-of-Life Care for Patients With Destination Therapy Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Background Patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) implanted as destination therapy may receive suboptimal preparation for and care at the end of life, but there is limited understanding of the reasons for these shortcomings. Exploring perceptions of individuals (caregivers and clinicians) who are closely involved in the end-of-life experience with patients with destination therapy LVADs can help identify key opportunities for improving care. Methods and Results We conducted semistructured qualitative interviews with 7 bereaved caregivers of patients with destination therapy LVADs and 10 interdisciplinary LVAD clinicians. Interviews explored perceptions of preparing for end of life, communicating about end of life, and providing and receiving end-of-life care, and were analyzed using a 2-step team-based inductive approach to coding and analysis. Six themes pertaining to end-of-life experiences were derived: (1) timing end-of-life discussions in the setting of unpredictable illness trajectories, (2) prioritizing end-of-life preparation and decision-making, (3) communicating uncertainty while providing support and hope, (4) lack of consensus on responsibility for end-of-life discussions, (5) perception of the LVAD team as invincible, and (6) divergent perceptions of LVAD withdrawal. Conclusions This study revealed 6 unique aspects of end-of-life care for patients with destination therapy LVADs as reported by clinicians and caregivers. Themes coalesced around communication, team-based care, and challenges unique to patients with LVADs at end of life. Programmatic changes may address some aspects, including training clinicians in LVAD-specific communication skills. Other aspects, such as standardizing the role of the palliative care team and developing practical interventions that enable timely advance care planning during LVAD care, will require multifaceted interventions.

The Role of Palliative Care in Withdrawal of Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Cardiogenic Shock

CONTEXT

As the use of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) increases, decisions regarding withdrawal from VA-ECMO increase.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients withdrawn from VA-ECMO and the role of palliative care consultation in the decision.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed adult patients with cardiogenic shock requiring VA-ECMO at our institution, who were withdrawn from VA-ECMO between January 1, 2014 and May 31, 2019. The relationship between clinical characteristics and palliative care visits was assessed, and documented reasons for withdrawal were identified.

RESULTS

Of 460 patients who received VA-ECMO, 91 deceased patients (19.8%) were included. Forty-two patients (44.8%) had a palliative care consultation. The median duration on VA-ECMO was 4.0 days (interquartile range 8.8), and it was significantly longer for patients with palliative care consultation than those without (8.8 days vs. 2.0 days, P < 0.001). Among those with palliative care consultation, those with early consultation (within three days) had significantly shorter duration of VA-ECMO compared with those with late consultation (7.6 days vs. 13.5 days, t = 2.022, P = 0.008). Twenty-two (24.2%) had evidence of brain injury, which was significantly associated with patient age, number of comorbidities, duration of VA-ECMO, number of life-sustaining therapies, and number of palliative care visits (Wilks lambda 0.8925, DF 5,121, P = 0.016). Presence of brain injury was associated with fewer palliative care visits (t = 2.82, P = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Shorter duration of VA-ECMO support and presence of brain injury were associated with fewer palliative care visits. Decisions around withdrawal of VA-ECMO support might be less complicated when patient's medical conditions deteriorate quickly or when neurological prognosis seems poor.

"Talking Around It": A Qualitative Study Exploring Dyadic Congruence in Managing the Uncertainty of Living With a Ventricular Assist Device

BACKGROUND

Vital components of communicating goals of care and preferences include eliciting the patient and caregiver's definition of quality of life, understanding meaningful activities and relationships, and exploring wishes for care at the end of life. Although current literature suggests framing conversations regarding end of life through the lens of meaning and quality of life, there is limited literature exploring dyadic congruence surrounding these important constructs among patients with ventricular assist devices (VADs) and their caregivers.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to explore congruence of VAD patient and caregiver perspectives regarding end of life, definitions of quality of life, and meaning in life while managing the uncertainty of living with a VAD.

METHODS

We used thematic analysis to analyze semistructured qualitative interviews of 10 patient-caregiver dyads 3 to 12 months after VAD implantation.

RESULTS

Three major themes were identified: (1) differing trajectories of uncertainty and worry, (2) a spectrum of end-of-life perspectives, and (3) enjoying everyday moments and independence. Overall, patients and caregivers had differing perspectives regarding uncertainty and end of life. Within-dyad congruence was most evident as dyads discussed definitions of meaning or quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Dyadic perspectives on end of life, meaning in life, and quality of life can inform how palliative care and VAD teams approach conversations about planning for the end of life. Findings from this study can inform future shared decision-making interventions for patients living with VADs and their caregivers.

Association Between "Unacceptable Condition" Expressed in Palliative Care Consultation Before Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation and Care Received at the End of Life

CONTEXT

Palliative care consultation before left ventricular assist device (LVAD) surgery (PreVAD) has been recommended, but its impact on goal-concordant care is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the association between patients' unique unacceptable condition articulated during PreVAD with the actual care provided at the end of life.

METHODS

Among 308 patients who had PreVAD between 2014 and 2019, 72 patients died before December 31, 2019. Based on the answers to the question, "Is there any condition you would find unacceptable?" patients were divided into ARTICULATE (those who could articulate their unacceptable condition clearly, n = 58) and non-ARTICULATE (those who could not, n = 14). Circumstances at death and end-of-life care were compared between groups.

RESULTS

Mean age at death was 63.2 years (SD ±13.1), 56 patients (77.8%) were males, and median duration of LVAD was 167.5 days (interquartile range 682). ARTICULATE patients died less frequently in the intensive care unit than non-ARTICULATE patients (33 patients, 57.9% vs. 13 patients, 92.9%; P = 0.014) and had ethics consultation less frequently (four patients, 6.9% vs. five patients, 35.7%; P = 0.011). Frequency of LVAD withdrawal was similar in both groups. Among ARTICULATE cohort, the unacceptable condition articulated in PreVAD did not seem to influence decisions at the end of life.

CONCLUSION

Patients who articulated their unacceptable condition clearly before LVAD surgery had less frequent ethics consultations and received less intensive care at the end of life, but it did not seem to affect the decision of LVAD withdrawal. It may be more important to engage in discussions around their unacceptable conditions, rather than the specific condition articulated. The question of an unacceptable condition should be part of any routine palliative care consultation before LVAD surgery.

The First Steps Taken to Implement Palliative Care in Advanced Heart Disease: A Position Statement from Denmark

According to the World Health Organization, palliative care must be available for everyone with life-threatening diseases. However, in daily practice the primary focus worldwide is on cancer patients. The aim of the article was to generate a national position statement as the first step in implementing palliative care in severe heart disease with focus on advanced heart failure, including tools to identify the need for and timing of palliative care and how palliative care could be organized in Denmark. A task force was formed in the Danish Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Working Group, and the position statement was prepared in collaboration with members from a broad group of specialties, including palliative medicine. Because of major gaps in evidence, the position statement was based on small and low-quality studies and clinical practice statements. This position statement was aligned with the European Society of Cardiology recommendation, focusing on relieving suffering from the early disease stages parallel to standard care and supplementing life-prolonging treatment. The statement delivers practical guidance on clinical aspects and managing symptoms during the three stages of advanced heart disease. Furthermore, the statement describes the importance of communication and topics to be broached, including deactivating implantable cardioverter defibrillators. The statement recommends a targeted effort on organizational strategies using high-quality assessment tools and emphasizes multidisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration. Danish cardiologists supported by allied professionals acknowledge the importance of palliative care in advanced heart disease. This national position statement intended to inform and influence policy and practice and can hopefully inspire other countries to take action toward implementing palliative care in advanced heart disease.