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Review
. 2016 May;31(3):313-20.
doi: 10.1097/HCO.0000000000000279.

Patient-centered care for left ventricular assist device therapy: current challenges and future directions

Khadijah Breathett  1 , Larry A Allen, Amrut V Ambardekar
Affiliations
Review

Patient-centered care for left ventricular assist device therapy: current challenges and future directions

Khadijah Breathett et al. Curr Opin Cardiol. 2016 May.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Discuss the current status and obstacles that need to be overcome in the future to provide patient-centered care with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy.

Recent findings: LVADs offer both longer survival and improvements in quality of life for carefully selected patients with inotrope-dependent heart failure. Yet, this technology does not come without significant risk of adverse effects and burdens. Recent observational data comparing LVAD with medical therapy in ambulatory, noninotrope-dependent patients with advanced heart failure suggest that survival may be similar and changes in quality of life may depend on baseline status. As both LVAD technology and medical therapy continue to evolve, there are many unanswered questions regarding the benefits, risks, and burdens of LVAD therapies in less severe heart failure populations.

Summary: Further research is needed to ensure the optimal delivery of LVAD therapy, including improved patient selection, implantation timing, device type, and decision support. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
One-Year Benefits and Risks of LVAD Therapy Reproduced with permission from McIlvennan et al. Circ Heart Fail. 2014;7:1003-1013
Figure 2
Figure 2
Development of LVAD decision aid materials that can help clinicians facilitate shared decision making between clinicians, patients, and their family caregivers. Reproduced with permission from Thompson et al. JACC Heart Fail. 2015 Dec;3(12):965–76
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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