| 1. |
- Ben Avraham, Binyamin, et al.
(author)
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HFA of the ESC Position paper on the management of LVAD supported patients for the non LVAD specialist healthcare provider : Part 1: Introduction and at the non-hospital settings in the community
- 2021
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In: ESC Heart Failure. - : Wiley. - 2055-5822. ; 8:6, s. 4394-4408
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The accepted use of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) technology as a good alternative for the treatment of patients with advanced heart failure together with the improved survival of the LVAD-supported patients on the device and the scarcity of donor hearts has significantly increased the population of LVAD-supported patients. The expected and non-expected device-related and patient-device interaction complications impose a significant burden on the medical system exceeding the capacity of the LVAD implanting centres. The ageing of the LVAD-supported patients, mainly those supported with the destination therapy indication, increases the risk for those patients to experience comorbidities common in the older population. The probability of an LVAD-supported patient presenting with medical emergency to a local emergency department, internal, or surgical ward of a non-LVAD implanting centre is increasing. The purpose of this trilogy is to supply the immediate tools needed by the non-LVAD specialized physician: ambulance clinicians, emergency ward physicians, general cardiologists, internists, anaesthesiologists, and surgeons, to comply with the medical needs of this fast-growing population of LVAD-supported patients. The different issues discussed will follow the patients pathway from the ambulance to the emergency department and from the emergency department to the internal or surgical wards and eventually to the discharge home from the hospital back to the general practitioner. In this first part of the trilogy on the management of LVAD-supported patients for the non-LVAD specialist healthcare provider, after the introduction on the assist devices technology in general, definitions and structured approach to the assessment of the LVAD-supported patient in the ambulance and emergency department is presented including cardiopulmonary resuscitation for LVAD-supported patients.
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| 2. |
- Ben Gal, Tuvia, et al.
(author)
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Guidance on the management of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) supported patients for the non-LVAD specialist healthcare provider: executive summary
- 2021
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In: European Journal of Heart Failure. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1388-9842 .- 1879-0844. ; 23:10, s. 1597-1609
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The accepted use of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) technology as a good alternative for the treatment of patients with advanced heart failure together with the improved survival of patients on the device and the scarcity of donor hearts has significantly increased the population of LVAD supported patients. Device-related, and patient-device interaction complications impose a significant burden on the medical system exceeding the capacity of LVAD implanting centres. The probability of an LVAD supported patient presenting with medical emergency to a local ambulance team, emergency department medical team and internal or surgical wards in a non-LVAD implanting centre is increasing. The purpose of this paper is to supply the immediate tools needed by the non-LVAD specialized physician - ambulance clinicians, emergency ward physicians, general cardiologists, and internists - to comply with the medical needs of this fast-growing population of LVAD supported patients. The different issues discussed will follow the patients pathway from the ambulance to the emergency department, and from the emergency department to the internal or surgical wards and eventually back to the general practitioner.
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| 3. |
- Gustafsson, Finn, et al.
(author)
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HFA of the ESC position paper on the management of LVAD-supported patients for the non-LVAD specialist healthcare provider : Part 3: at the hospital and discharge
- 2021
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In: ESC Heart Failure. - : Wiley Periodicals Inc. - 2055-5822. ; 8:6, s. 4425-4443
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The growing population of left ventricular assist device (LVAD)-supported patients increases the probability of an LVAD- supported patient hospitalized in the internal or surgical wards with certain expected device related, and patient-device interaction complication as well as with any other comorbidities requiring hospitalization. In this third part of the trilogy on the management of LVAD-supported patients for the non-LVAD specialist healthcare provider, definitions and structured approach to the hospitalized LVAD-supported patient are presented including blood pressure assessment, medical therapy of the LVAD supported patient, and challenges related to anaesthesia and non-cardiac surgical interventions. Finally, important aspects to consider when discharging an LVAD patient home and palliative and end-of-life approaches are described.
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| 4. |
- Hammer, Yoav, et al.
(author)
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Exergaming in patients with a left ventricular assist device : a feasibility study
- 2023
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In: ESC Heart Failure. - : Wiley. - 2055-5822. ; 10:1, s. 738-741
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims Exercise games (exergames) have been recently proposed as a mode of facilitating physical activity in patients with chronic diseases. Although patients supported with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) benefit from physical activity, specific LVAD-related issues hinder their ability to exercise properly. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of exergaming in LVAD-supported patients. Methods and results Eleven LVAD-supported patients were enrolled in a 4 week exergaming programme using Nintendo Wii console with five sport games. Patients were instructed to play for 30 min a day, 5 days a week. Data on exercise capacity and exergaming were collected by using the 6 min walk test (6MWT) and a daily self-report diary, respectively. Feasibility of using the console and its safety was assessed by a semi-structured patient interview. Quality of life was assessed by the Minnesota Living with Heart failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and the Cantrils Ladder of Life. Safety was assessed by patients report in interview and diary. The study group consisted of 10 male patients and 1 female patient, mean age of 67 +/- 7 years, of whom 10 were supported with the HeartMate 3 LVAD for a median of 10 (interquartile range 3, 21) months. Baseline exercise capacity assessed by the 6MWT ranged from 240 to 570 m (mean 448 +/- 112). After 4 weeks of exergaming, 6MWT distance increased from a mean of 448 +/- 112 (evaluated in six patients) to 472 +/- 113 m (P = 0.023). Patients Cantrils Ladder of Life score improved numerically from an average of 6.13 to 7.67, as did their MLHFQ score from 45.9 +/- 27 to 38.7 +/- 18, with higher and lower scores, respectively, reflecting higher quality of life. No specific LVAD-related safety issues regarding exergaming were reported. Conclusions Exergaming was found to be a safe and feasible mode for encouraging physical activity in LVAD-supported patients and carries a potential for improving exercise capacity and quality of life in these patients. Larger scale studies are warranted to further investigate the effect of exergaming in this patient population.
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| 5. |
- Itzhaki Ben Zadok, Osnat, et al.
(author)
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Health-related quality of life in left ventricular assist device-supported patients
- 2021
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In: ESC Heart Failure. - : Wiley. - 2055-5822. ; 8:3, s. 2036-2044
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims This study aimed to evaluate the different health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) aspects in patients with both short-term and long-term duration LVAD support at pre-specified time intervals. Methods and results We performed a single-centre HR-QoL analysis of short-term and long-term LVAD-supported patients using the short version of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-12) and the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire along with a survey to evaluate patients social and driving routines. Data were collected at baseline and at 6 or 12 month follow-up. Included were 46 patients with a median time from LVAD implantation of 1.1 [inter-quartile range (IQR) 0.5, 2.6] years. The median KCCQ-12 summary score was 56 (IQR 29, 74) with most favourable scores in the symptom frequency domain [75 (IQR 50, 92)] and worse scores in the physical limitation [42 (IQR 25, 75)] and QoL [44 (IQR 25, 75)] domains. No significant changes were apparent during study follow-up [KCCQ-12 summary score 56 (IQR 35, 80)], and no significant correlation between the KCCQ-12 summary score and ventricular assist device-support duration was detected (r = -0.036, P = 0.812). Sexual dysfunction was noted across all domains with a cumulative score of 31 (IQR 22, 42). Seventy-six per cent of patients resumed driving after LVAD implantation, and 43% of patients reported they socialize with family and friends more frequently since surgery. Conclusions Short-term and long-term LVAD-supported patients had impaired HR-QoL and sexual function at baseline and at follow-up yet reported an improvement in social interactions and independency. A broader spectrum of patients reported HR-QoL measures should be integrated into the pre-LVAD implantation assessment and preparation.
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| 6. |
- Melnikov, Semyon, et al.
(author)
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Self-care behaviours of patients with left ventricular assist devices in Israel: changes during the COVID-19 pandemic
- 2023
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In: ESC Heart Failure. - : WILEY PERIODICALS, INC. - 2055-5822. ; 10:4, s. 2734-2739
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AimsLeft ventricular assist devices (LVADs) support the hearts of patients with advanced heart failure. Following LVAD implantation, patients face a complex regimen of self-care behaviours including self-care maintenance, self-care monitoring and self-care management. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, symptoms of anxiety and depression may have interfered with their self-care. Currently, little is known on how specific self-care behaviours of LVAD-implanted patients changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aim to describe the changes in self-care behaviours among patients with an implanted LVAD in Israel during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the factors related to self-care behaviour change. MethodsA prospective observational cross-sectional study design. A convenience sample of 27 Israeli LVAD-implanted patients (mean age 62.4 +/- 9, 86% male, 78.6% living with a partner) completed the LVAD Self-Care Behaviour Scale (1 = never to 5 = always) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (0 = not at all to 3 = most of the time). Data were collected before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests, Pearsons correlations, and one-way repeated measures ANOVAs. ResultsDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant decrease was found in patients adherence to checking and recording their LVAD speed, flow, power and PI (Pulsatility Index) (P = 0.05), checking their INR (P = 0.01), and daily weighing (P < 0.01). The prevalence of some behaviours (e.g. regularly exercising) increased in some patients and decreased in others. Patients living without a partner worsened their adherence to some of the self-care behaviours (e.g. taking medicines as prescribed), compared with those living with a partner (M-b = 5.0 +/- 0 and M-d = 5.0 +/- 0, delta = 0 vs. M-b = 5.0 +/- 0 and M-d = 4.6 +/- 0.9, delta = -0.4, respectively; F = 4.9, P = 0.04). Women, and not men, tended to improve their adherence to the self-care behaviour such as avoiding kinking, pulling, or moving the LVAD driveline at the exit site (M-b = 4.0 +/- 1.0 and M-d = 5.0 +/- 0, delta = 1.0 vs. M-b = 4.5 +/- 0.9 and M-d = 4.4 +/- 1.2, delta = -0.1, F = 4.7, P = 0.04, respectively). In total, 41% (11) patients reported neither anxiety nor depression, 11% (3) reported anxiety, 15% (4) reported depression, and 44% (12) reported both anxiety and depression. No associations between anxiety and/or depression and self-care behaviours were found. ConclusionsPriorities in self-care behaviours among patients with implanted LVAD changed after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors that assisted with adherence to self-care behaviours included living with a partner and being female. The current results may guide further research on identifying behaviours that are at risk of not being maintained during a time of emergency.
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| 7. |
- Milicic, Davor, et al.
(author)
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Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology position paper on the management of left ventricular assist device-supported patients for the non-left ventricular assist device specialist healthcare provider : Part 2: at the emergency department
- 2021
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In: ESC Heart Failure. - : Wiley. - 2055-5822. ; 8:6, s. 4409-4424
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The improvement in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) technology and scarcity of donor hearts have increased dramatically the population of the LVAD-supported patients and the probability of those patients to present to the emergency department with expected and non-expected device-related and patient-device interaction complications. The ageing of the LVAD-supported patients, mainly those supported with the destination therapy indication, increases the risk for those patients to suffer from other co-morbidities common in the older population. In this second part of the trilogy on the management of LVAD-supported patients for the non-LVAD specialist healthcare provider, definitions and structured approach to the LVAD-supported patient presenting to the emergency department with bleeding, neurological event, pump thrombosis, chest pain, syncope, and other events are presented. The very challenging issue of declaring death in an LVAD-supported patient, as the circulation is artificially preserved by the device despite no other signs of life, is also discussed in detail.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Jaarsma, Tiny, et al.
(author)
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Effects of exergaming on exercise capacity in patients with heart failure : results of an international multicentre randomized controlled trial
- 2021
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In: European Journal of Heart Failure. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1388-9842 .- 1879-0844. ; 23:1, s. 114-124
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AimsExergaming is a new tool to increase physical activity. This study aimed to determine the effects of access to a home‐based exergame (Nintendo Wii) in patients with heart failure (HF) on exercise capacity, self‐reported physical activity and patient‐reported outcome measures.Methods and resultsWe enrolled 605 HF patients in New York Heart Association functional class I–IV, independent of ejection fraction, in an international multicentre randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomized to exergame (intervention) or motivational support (control). The primary endpoint was change in submaximal aerobic exercise capacity as measured by the distance walked in 6 min (6MWT) between baseline and 3 months. Secondary endpoints included long‐term submaximal aerobic exercise capacity, muscle function, self‐reported physical activity, exercise motivation, exercise self‐efficacy at 3, 6 and 12 months. At baseline, patients on average walked 403 ± 142 m on the 6MWT. Patients in the exergame group walked further compared to controls at 3 months (454 ± 123 vs. 420 ± 127 m, P = 0.005), at 6 months (452 ± 123 vs. 426 ± 133 m, P = 0.015) and 12 months (456 ± 122 vs. 420 ± 135 m, P = 0.004). However, correcting for baseline 6MWT values by means of a linear mixed‐effects model revealed no main effect for the intervention on 6MWT. Small significant effects on muscle function were found. Statistically significant treatment effects were found for muscle function but after correction for baseline and confounders, only the treatment effect for the heel‐rise left at 6 months was significant (P < 0.05). No treatment effect was found for exercise motivation, exercise self‐efficacy, or self‐reported physical activity.ConclusionExergaming was safe and feasible in patients with HF with different profiles in different health care systems, cultures and climates. However, it was not effective in improving outcomes on submaximal aerobic exercise capacity. Subgroup analysis did not identify specific subgroups benefiting from the intervention.
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