Lifestyle Habits of Patients Supported with Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Background: While the implantation of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) prolongs survival in patients with advanced heart failure, data regarding its impact on patients’ lifestyle are limited.

Methods: Single-center prospective lifestyle analysis of LVAD-supported patients. Patients’ heart failure status and lifestyle habits were analyzed using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-12) (maximal total of 100 points for each domain) and the Change of Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (CSFQ) along with a standardized questionnaire to evaluate patients’ social and driving routines.

Results: Included were 37 patients with a median age of 61 years and male predominance (n=31, 92%). Median time from implantation was 23 months. KCCQ-12 subscale scores were 42, 75, 50 and 67 for the physical limitation, symptoms frequency, quality of life and social limitation domains, respectively, with a cumulative score of 58 (interquartile range (IQR) 38,75). Symptom frequency improved in older (≤12 months) versus newer (the cessation of driving mostly due to family or physician’s advice. Sexual dysfunction was noted across all domains: pleasure, desire-frequency, desire-interest, arousal and orgasm with a cumulative score of 23 (IQR 16,40). Major concerns regarding sexual relationships were partner’s reaction or a possible LVAD-related injury.

Conclusions: LVAD-supported patients suffer from limited lifestyle and self-report abnormal health status. However, mild symptomatic improvement was noted among older versus newer LVAD-supported patients. These data should guide clinicians in the education of heart failure patients before and after LVAD implantation, matching their lifestyle expectations.