End-of-life decision making and implementation in recipients of a destination left ventricular assist device

BACKGROUND The use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) as destination therapy (DT) is increasing and has proven beneficial in prolonging survival and improving quality of life in select patients with end stage heart failure Nonetheless, end of-life (EOL) issues are inevitable and how to approach them underreported METHODS Our DT data registry was queried for eligible patients defined as those individuals who actively participated in EOL decision making The process from early EOL discussion to palliation and death was reviewed We recorded the causes leading to EOL discussion time from EOL decision to withdrawal and from withdrawal to death and location Primary caregivers were surveyed to qualify their experience and identity themes relevant to this process RESULTS Between 1999 and 2009 92 DT LVADs were implanted in 69 patients Twenty patients qualified for inclusion (mean length of support 833 days) A decrease in quality of life from new/worsening comorbidities usually prompted EOL discussion Eleven patients died at home 8 in the hospital and 1 in a nursing home Time from EOL decision to LVAD withdrawal ranged from <1 day to 2 weeks and from withdrawal until death was <20 minutes in all cases Palliative care was provided to all patients Ongoing assistance from the healthcare team facilitated closure and ensured comfort at EOL CONCLUSIONS With expanding indications and Improved technology, more DT LVADs will be implanted and for longer durations and more patients will face EOL issues A multidisciplinary team approach with protocols involving DT patients and their families in EOL decision making allows for continuity of care and ensures dignity and comfort at EOL J Heart Lung Transplant 2010,29 1337-41 (C) 2010 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation All rights reserved