Perception of the quality of life and social support of a patient with mechanical circulatory support and their caregiver

Introduction:
Heart failure is a complex pathological condition. Modern surgical treatment methods for advanced heart failure include heart transplantation (HTX) and mechanical circulatory support. The most common form of long-term mechanical support of the circulatory system is mechanical support of the left ventricle (LVAD). The use of HTX and LVAD comes with many bio-psychological and social problems for patients and their caregivers. Patients with an LVAD often experience significant changes in quality of life, and living with an LVAD affects many areas of the patient’s and family’s daily life. Social support plays a key role in the life of a patient and their family to provide the best care and improve quality of life. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life and social support of a patient with mechanical circulatory support and their caregiver.

Material and methods:
The study was conducted among patients after implantation of long-term mechanical circulatory support and their caregivers – 54 dyads of patients and their caregivers. A diagnostic survey method was used, along with standardised questionnaires: the Berlin Social Support Scale for assessing social support, SF-12 for assessing quality of life, and 7 demographic questions.

Results:
The results showed that the caregivers of patients with implanted mechanical circulatory system support rated their quality of life much higher than did the patients. The perceived available instrumental support was dominant among patients and caregivers. There was no correlation between the quality of life and social support among respondents. Demographic and social data impacted the assessment of social support among caregivers but did not impact the evaluation among patients with LVAD. The time since the implantation of mechanical circulatory support worsens the quality of life in the mental category in patients with LVAD and their caregivers.

Conclusions:
The quality of life of patients was low compared to population studies. The passage of time after LVAD implantation deteriorated the quality of life in the mental domain. To improve the quality of life in the mental domain, psychological support for patients and their caregivers is necessary.