Learning self-care after left ventricular assist device implantation.
The number of heart failure (HF) patients living with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) as destination therapy is increasing. Successful long-term LVAD support includes a high degree of self-care by the patient and their caregiver, and also requires long-term support from a multidisciplinary team. All three components of self-care deserve special attention once an HF patient receives an LVAD, including activities regarding self-care maintenance (activities related both to the device and lifestyle), self-care monitoring (e.g., monitoring for complications or distress), and self-care management (e.g., handling alarms or coping with living with the device). For patients to perform optimal self-care once they are discharged, they need optimal education that focuses on knowledge and skills through a collaborative, adult learning approach.
Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
Naoko
N
Kato
Tiny
T
Jaarsma
Tuvia
T
Ben Gal
D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*