A bridge to transplantation: The life experiences of patients with a left ventricular assist device


CEBECİ F., ARIKAN B., ÇATAL E., BAYEZİD Ö.

Heart and Lung, vol.50, no.1, pp.106-112, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 50 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2020.09.020
  • Journal Name: Heart and Lung
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Page Numbers: pp.106-112
  • Keywords: Bridge to transplantation, Coping, Fear, Life experiences, LVAD
  • Uşak University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background: The Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) is a rapidly spreading treatment given to patients with advanced heart failure due to organ donor shortage. Thus, there is a need to study the life experience of patients who underwent LVAD implantation as a bridge to transplantation. Objective: To examine the life experiences of patients who underwent LVAD implantation as a bridge to transplantation. Methods: This qualitative, phenomenological research was carried out with 13 patients who underwent LVAD implantation as a bridge to transplantation. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews. Interviews were recorded through an audio recorder, transcribed verbatim, and evaluated using the inductive content analysis method. Results: Two main themes (fear and coping), each with four sub-themes, were obtained after data were analyzed. Participants’ fears and coping strategies for these were identified. Conclusion: In this study, fears and coping strategies came to the forefront in the life experiences of patients who underwent LVAD implantation as a bridge to transplantation.