Background:
Destination therapy left ventricular assist devices (DT-LVADs) have become a treatment option for carefully selected patients with end-stage heart failure. Death is inevitable despite DT-LVAD, with 1-year mortality approximately 20% and median survival 5 years. However, end-of-life processes for LVAD patients vary significantly by institution, provider, and patient preference. Palliative care has played an increasing role in the care of this patient population, yet there remains little data on the most effective way to integrate palliative care and hospice in the DT-LVAD population. Therefore, we aimed to understand the end-of-life perspectives regarding LVADs among both cardiology and palliative care/hospice providers.
Methods:
Using internet-based, secure methods, we administered a 41-item survey via electronic mail to members of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, European Society of Cardiology-Heart Failure Association, the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, and the Heart Failure Society of America to assess their perspectives on end-of-life care in patients with LVADs. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. Fisher’s exact test was used to compare categorical data.
Results:
From October to November 2011, there were a total of 440 respondents (palliative care/hospice=137; cardiology=303). Most were physicians (80%; n=320) and male (59%; n=232). The majority of providers in both groups viewed an LVAD as a life-sustaining treatment. The groups differed in their attitudes, beliefs, and comfort with end-of-life care in patients with an LVAD. Few palliative care/hospice providers believed a patient needed to be imminently dying to turn off an LVAD; whereas most cardiology providers noted patients should be imminently dying in order to consider LVAD deactivation (2% vs 60%; p=<0.001). Most palliative care/hospice providers believed requests for turning off an LVAD in a patient who is not nearing death should be honored. In contrast, just over half of cardiology providers contended the request should be honored (88% vs 57%; p=<0.001). The provider groups also disagreed on requiring ethics consultation, with most cardiology providers stating it was necessary prior to turning off an LVAD near the end of life (67% vs 24%; p=<0.001).
Conclusion:
Cardiology providers and palliative care/hospice providers collectively have different perceptions on management of end of life in patients with an LVAD. Bridging the gaps between these two disciplines is a critical first step in creating a more cohesive approach to end-of-life care for these patients—one that honors autonomy but respects individual provider comfort levels.
END OF LIFE CARE IN NEURODEGENERATIVE CONDITIONS: EVALUATION OF A SPECIALIST NEUROLOGY PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICE
