Megan M Streur1, Jonathan P Auld2, Ana Carolina Sauer Liberato2, Jennifer A Beckman3, Claudius Mahr3, Elaine A Thompson2, Cynthia M Dougherty2. 1. School of Nursing, Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. Electronic address: mstreur@uw.edu. 2. School of Nursing, Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. 3. Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Knowledge synthesis is lacking regarding outcomes and experiences of caregivers of adult patients living with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVAD). The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize qualitative data related to the experience of caregivers of adult patients living with CF-LVAD as well as quantitative data related to health outcomes of caregivers. METHODS AND RESULTS: Multiple databases were systematically queried for studies of qualitative experiences and quantitative health outcomes for caregivers of adult CF-LVAD recipients. Search dates were constrained to articles published between 2004 and August of 2018 because CF-LVADs were not routinely implanted before 2004. Two authors independently screened 683 articles; 15 met predetermined inclusion criteria. Eligible articles reported results from 13 studies. Of those, 8 used either qualitative or mixed methods and 5 used quantitative methods. Caregivers were primarily female (81%) and their mean age was 59 years. Qualitative studies revealed 3 overarching themes related to the caregiver role, coping strategies, and LVAD decisions. Quantitative studies revealed caregiver strain peaked between 1 and 3 months after implantation, anxiety and depression were relatively stable, mental health status improved, and physical health status was stable from before to after implantation. CONCLUSIONS: CF-LVAD caregivers experience significant, sustained emotional strain for 3 months after implantation, reporting considerable stress in meeting their personal needs and those of their loved one.
BACKGROUND: Knowledge synthesis is lacking regarding outcomes and experiences of caregivers of adult patients living with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVAD). The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize qualitative data related to the experience of caregivers of adult patients living with CF-LVAD as well as quantitative data related to health outcomes of caregivers. METHODS AND RESULTS: Multiple databases were systematically queried for studies of qualitative experiences and quantitative health outcomes for caregivers of adult CF-LVAD recipients. Search dates were constrained to articles published between 2004 and August of 2018 because CF-LVADs were not routinely implanted before 2004. Two authors independently screened 683 articles; 15 met predetermined inclusion criteria. Eligible articles reported results from 13 studies. Of those, 8 used either qualitative or mixed methods and 5 used quantitative methods. Caregivers were primarily female (81%) and their mean age was 59 years. Qualitative studies revealed 3 overarching themes related to the caregiver role, coping strategies, and LVAD decisions. Quantitative studies revealed caregiver strain peaked between 1 and 3 months after implantation, anxiety and depression were relatively stable, mental health status improved, and physical health status was stable from before to after implantation. CONCLUSIONS:CF-LVAD caregivers experience significant, sustained emotional strain for 3 months after implantation, reporting considerable stress in meeting their personal needs and those of their loved one.
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