title: Cardiac support devices.
abstract: Heart failure is an increasingly common condition in the United States and is associated with high mortality and burden to health care. It is a chronic condition that is characterized by progressive left ventricular enlargement. While medical therapy can slow the progression of left ventricular remodeling, surgical approaches to treatment have been developed to improve the survival and quality of life of heart failure patients. This article reviews the surgical procedures for left ventricular dysfunction and focuses on cardiac support devices as a new therapy for heart failure patients. The nursing care of patients with cardiac support devices will be presented and a case study will highlight practical points to help guide patient care.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Surgery Service, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2N2, Canada. marnie.rodger@uhn.on.ca
authors.forename: Marnie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodger
authors.forename: Marion E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: McRae
authors.forename: Munira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jaffer
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Del Signore
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D054144:Heart Failure, Diastolic / Q000401:mortality / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D011788:Quality of Life; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000451:nursing / Q000601:surgery; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling