title: A Survey of Knowledge and Perspectives of Ventricular Assist Device Therapy: Evaluating the Timing of Advanced Heart Failure Referral.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While advancements in ventricular assist device (VAD) therapy have improved survival and quality of life for select patients with advanced heart failure (HF), variations in provider knowledge and opinions may ultimately serve as barriers to therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 12-item survey assessing experience, knowledge, and perspectives of VAD therapy was sent to 106 practicing cardiologists at three neighboring institutions. We received 34 responses for a total response rate of 32.1%. The majority of respondents elected to refer patients with refractory disease for VAD therapy, while only 29.4% elected to refer when standard medical therapy is withdrawn due to hypotension.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While providers are well-informed on the fundamentals of advanced therapy, identifying patients with advanced HF who may benefit from referral remains an educational challenge. An automated referral program that identifies patients with advanced HF based on validated clinical parameters could increase appropriately timed referrals to HF specialists to further improve survival and quality of life outcomes with advanced therapy.
authors.forename: Bryan T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Lawlor
authors.forename: Jason W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Soucier
authors.forename: Jason A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gluck
mesh_terms: D002309:Cardiology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000601:surgery*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires