Current opinion in supportive and palliative care
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Curr Opin Support Palliat Care · Mar 2013
Review Case ReportsSelf-care and communication issues at the end of life of recipients of a left-ventricular assist device as destination therapy.
The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of self- care and communication issues at the end of life of patients with left-ventricular assist devices (LVADs) for destination therapy, based on recent research on end-of-life communication in other diseases. ⋯ Healthcare professionals treating patients before and after LVAD implantation need to take an active role in end-of-life discussions and be able to communicate information regarding expected complications, quality of life and prognosis to the patients and caregivers. Research is needed addressing optimal ways and timing of communication with LVAD patients and families.