The impact of ventricular assist device therapy on patients’ quality of life – a review

Abstract

With prolonged durability of ventricular assist device (VAD) support, as an established treatment strategy for patients with end-stage heart disease, a paradigm shift to focus on psychosocial outcomes becomes necessary. VAD implant procedures can improve heart failure (HF) symptoms and some aspects of quality of life (QoL). Within this article, constructs with importance to the individuals’ QoL trajectories while being on long-term VAD support will be addressed. These constructs include physical functioning, professional employment, recreational activities and travel, emotional adjustment, and sexuality for those on durable VAD support. Clinicians should monitor these aspects regularly and should encourage ongoing discussions with the patient and caregiver for treatment options in this regard.