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American Journal of Critical Care. 2002;11: 345-352
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Predictors of Quality of Life at 1 Month After Implantation of a Left Ventricular Assist Device

By Kathleen L. Grady, RN, PhD, Peter Meyer, PhD, Annette Mattea, RN, MSN, Diane Dressler, RN, MSN, Sophia Ormaza, RN, MSN, Connie White-Williams, RN, MSN, Suzanne Chillcott, RN, BSN, Annemarie Kaan, RN, CTNC, Barbara Todd, RN, MSN, Alice Loo, RN, MSN, Annette L. Klemme, RN, BSN, William Piccione, MD and Maria Rosa Costanzo, MD. From Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, Chicago, Ill (KLG, PM, AM, WP, MRC), St. Luke’s Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wis (DD), University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn (SO), University of Alabama, Birmingham, Ala (CW-W), Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, Calif (SC), St. Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, Australia (AK), Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa (BT), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pa (AL), and Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Va (ALK).

• Objectives To describe quality-of-life outcomes; determine relationships between quality of life and demographic, physical, psychosocial, and clinical variables; and identify predictors of quality of life at 1 month after implantation of a left ventricular assist device.

• Methods Patients who received either an implantable pneumatic (n = 38) or a vented electric (n = 54) left ventricular assist device as a bridge to heart transplantation between August 1, 1994, and August 31, 1999, completed 6 instruments used to measure quality of life and factors related to quality of life. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, Mann-Whitney U tests, and forward, stepwise multiple regression.

• Results Overall satisfaction with quality of life was quite high as determined from the total score on the Quality of Life Index (mean = 0.69). Patients were very satisfied with the implantation and thought that they would do well after future heart transplant surgery. Patients had a moderate level of stress. Significant predictors of overall quality of life were psychological symptoms, stress, and race; these accounted for 46% of variance in quality of life.

• Conclusions Patients were satisfied with their quality of life at 1 month after implantation of a left ventricular assist device. However, they were least satisfied with their health and functioning and yet were optimistic about how well they thought they would do after heart transplantation. Psychological factors were the strongest predictors of satisfaction with overall quality of life.




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J. Casida
The Lived Experience of Spouses of Patients With a Left Ventricular Assist Device Before Heart Transplantation
Am. J. Crit. Care., March 1, 2005; 14(2): 145 - 151.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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