title: Evaluation of changes in quality of life among Turkish patients undergoing ventricular assist device implantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ventricular assist device (VAD) application has become an increasingly common method to treatment end-stage heart failure. In this study we evaluated the effect of VAD implantation upon the quality of life among Turkish patients with end-stage heart failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight VAD implantation patients included 3 (10.7%) with biventricular support using the Berlin Heart Excor; 15 (53.6%), left ventricular support with the Berlin Heart Excor; and 10 (35.7%), Heartware implantation for left ventricular support. The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Questionnaire were used to assess changes in the quality of life (QOL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 28 patients, 2 were females (7.1%) and 26 were males (92.9%) of overall mean age of 44.6 ± 15.3 years (range, 8-66). Preoperative mean score of MLHFQ was significantly improved at 200.4 ± 147.4 days follow-up (72.8 ± 11.5 vs 13.7 ± 10.5; P < .05). SF-36 physical scores and mental scores were improved postoperatively (physical scores, 20.0 ± 24.4 vs 70.2 ± 19.9; mental scores, 38.4 ± 18.8 vs 73.9 ± 15.7; P < .05). No significant relation was observed between the postoperative scores of questionnaires and type of surgery. More improvement in postoperative MLHFQ scores was seen in patients younger than 45 years of age (P = .027). The severity of chronic heart failure (CHF) regressed from New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV to NYHA class II in 26 and to NYHA class III in 2 patients (P = .000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The QOL among patients with end-stage heart failure improved dramatically soon after VAD implantation.
authors: Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Medical Faculty, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Ozturk
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Ayik
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Oguz
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Ozturk
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Karapolat
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Balcioglu
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Yagdi
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Engin
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Ozbaran
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left; D055815:Young Adult