What is the lived experience of patients with left ventricular assist devices during the COVID-19 pandemic? A qualitative analysis

Trenta AM, Belloni S, Ausili D, Caruso R, Arrigoni C, Russo S, Moro M, Vellone E, Dellafiore F. What is the lived experience of patients with left ventricular assist devices during the COVID-19 pandemic? A qualitative analysis. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2022 Jun 30;21(5):438-445. doi: 10.1093/eurjcn/zvab097. PMID: 34741597; PMCID: PMC8689891.

Abstract

Background: During the COVID-19 outbreak, patients with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) faced several changes in their daily life. However, the effects of these changes on the patients' lived experiences are not still investigated.

Aims: The current study explored the lived experience of people with left ventricular assist device (LVAD) during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the COVID-19 outbreak, people with LVADs faced several changes in their daily life. However, the effects of these changes on the patients' lived experiences are not still investigated.

Methods and results: Qualitative data analysis was conducted employing the interpretative phenomenological analysis approach. We followed the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research guidelines. Eight male participants with LVAD aged from 65 to 82 were interviewed. Overall, two main themes ('Worsening of psychological distress' and 'Moving forward') and eight sub-themes emerged from the qualitative analysis.

Conclusions: People with LVADs experienced feelings of worry and solitude related to the risk of being infected or not receiving adequate treatment due to changes in the healthcare system during the pandemic; however, they managed to move forward with their lives using different strategies for dealing with the difficult situation.