How do patients with an LVAD-DT and their informal caregivers experience daily life?

In cases of severe heart failure, heart transplantation and implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) are the only options that improve survival and quality of life. Destination therapy LVAD (LVAD-DT) is intended for patients who are ineligible for transplantation and who will live with the device until death. Their experience is characterized by complex care, a high risk of complications, frequent emergency department visits, and numerous symptoms that affect daily life, as well as the lives of informal caregivers. Management of the device by the patient–caregiver dyad requires constant adaptation, including anticipating disease progression and adjusting care. In this chronic condition, the goal of care is to maintain survival and quality of life, highlighting the importance of nursing support. It is therefore essential to deepen our understanding of the experiences, needs, and coping strategies of people living with an LVAD-DT and their informal caregivers from a dyadic perspective.