Critical Care Experiences of Patients with Implanted Left Ventricular Assist Devices: A Qualitative Study
Project no. 32197 · Status: Kapanmış · 2024
Summary
<p>Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the experiences of patients with implanted left ventricular assist devices during the critical care process.</p><p>Methods: This qualitative study employed an interpretive phenomenological approach. The research was conducted with six patients who had received left ventricular assist device implantation at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of a university hospital. Research data were collected through semi-structured interviews using the “Patients' Sociodemographic and Descriptive Characteristics Form” and the “Semi-Structured Interview Form.”</p><p>Results: The ages of the patients included in the study ranged from 44 to 60. Five of the patients were male and married. All patients had a ventricular assist device implanted as a bridge to transplantation. According to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification, the patients' heart failure stage was between classes III and IV. The duration of mechanical ventilation ranged from 11 to 18 hours, and the length of stay in the critical care unit ranged from 6 to 22 days. As a result of this study, four themes were identified: “critical care experience,” “perception of the device's presence,” “perception of healthcare professionals,” and “impact on life and outlook for the future.”</p><p>Conclusion: The critical care experiences of patients implanted with a left ventricular assist device were identified within the framework of the basic themes of intensive care experience, perception of the device, perception of healthcare professionals, impact on life, and outlook for the future. It is recommended that physical comfort be increased, effective communication be established, and psychosocial support be provided in order to improve intensive care experiences. Additionally, it is recommended that patient experiences be addressed in a multidimensional manner in future studies.</p>