Abstract
Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are increasingly being used to treat end-stage heart failure. Despite the increased prevalence of these devices, there is a still a high 1-year mortality rate. The purpose of this integrative review was to systematically evaluate research studies that focused on the process and content of LVAD related end-of-life discussions. A literature search was conducted from earliest available date to November, 2017. A total of 59 citations were produced, 13 articles went under full review, and six studies remained for inclusion in this review. Patients and their caregivers experienced confusion and frustration regarding the end-of-life experiences and care related to disjointed care by their provider teams. Clinician experiences and opinions also suggested a controversy about deactivation of the LVAD at the end-of-life, and a divide regarding practices at the end-of-life. Research focused on system-level factors involved in end-of-life care for patients with an LVAD is needed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 451-457 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Heart and Lung |
Volume | 49 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 1 2020 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Funding: This work was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars program and the University of Kentucky RICH Heart Program.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Inc.
Copyright:
Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Funding
Funding: This work was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars program and the University of Kentucky RICH Heart Program.
Funders | Funder number |
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Robert Wood Johnson Foundation |
Keywords
- End of life
- Integrative review
- LVAD
- Systematic review
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
- Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine