title: Lifestyle adjustments of adults with long-term implantable left ventricular assist devices: a phenomenologic inquiry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore and describe the lifestyle adjustments made by adult recipients of a long-term implantable left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
  
  
  METHODS
  A phenomenologic inquiry was used to uncover the lifestyle adjustments of 7 men and 2 women, ages 31 to 70 years, who had an LVAD for more than 3 months after hospital discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An overarching theme, "adjustment takes time," represents the lifestyle adjustments of the study participants. Early adjustment was highlighted by participants' concerns with physical, psychologic, and environmental aspects, whereas late adjustment was highlighted by behaviors associated with acceptance of the LVAD as an integral component of their bodies and lives.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides insight into the patient's perspective regarding the challenges faced in living with an LVAD. The findings inform health care providers in the acute and critical care settings in assisting patients to positively adjust with the lifestyle imposed by an LVAD.
authors: College of Nursing, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA. jcasida@wayne.edu
authors: Jesus M
authors: JM
authors: Casida
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Marcuccilli
authors: Rosalind M
authors: RM
authors: Peters
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Wright
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012890:Sleep; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013997:Time Factors; D035502:Trust