Depression and Anxiety Moderate the Relationship Between Body Image and Personal Well-being Among Patients With an Implanted Left Ventricular Assist Device

Background Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) support the diseased heart of patients with advanced heart failure and are used as a bridge to heart transplantation or as destination therapy for patients ineligible for heart transplantation. Body image changes, as well as anxiety and depression, are prevalent among patients with an implanted LVAD. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate whether a relationship exists between body image and personal well-being among patients with an implanted LVAD and, if it does, whether it is moderated by anxiety and depression. Methods In this cross-sectional correlational study, a convenience sample of 30 adult patients with an implanted LVAD (mean age, 63 +/- 10; 90% male) from the outpatient facility of a tertiary medical center completed validated instruments including the Body Image Scale, Cosmetic Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Personal Well-being Index, from October 2017 to February 2018. Results were subjected to multivariate linear regression and bootstrap moderation analyses. Results Eleven patients (37%) had below-average personal well-being scores, and 14 patients (47%) had below-average body image scores. Seven (23%) had either anxiety or depression, and 11 (37%) had both anxiety and depression. Body image was found to be a significant predictor of personal well-being (t = 2.16, P = .04). When anxiety and depression were present, body image (t = 2.08, P = .049), depression (t = 2.53, P = .018), and the interaction between body image and depression (t = -2.1, P = .047) were significantly associated with personal well-being. Conclusions Body image significantly predicted personal well-being among patients with an implanted LVAD. Depression alone, or depression combined with anxiety, moderated the relationships between body image and personal well-being. The current results may help to heighten healthcare providers awareness of body image perception among patients with an implanted LVAD

Factors associated with body image among patients with an implanted left ventricular assist device

Background: Among Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implanted patients, body image modifications might occur. Objectives: To explore the associations between sexual functioning, confidence in LVAD technology, personal wellbeing, and body image. Methods: The cross-sectional study included 30 conveniently recruited LVAD implanted patients who completed Body Image Scale, sexual functioning, confidence in LVAD technology, and Personal Wellbeing Index questionnaires. The associations between the research variables were examined with multiple regression analyses. Results: The mean age of the participants was 63 (SD=10), 90% were men. The mean scores were: sexual functioning 2.43 (SD=1.20, range 1-5); confidence in LVAD technology 2.63 (SD=1.04, range 1-5); Well-Being Index 6.61 (SD=1.53, range 0-10); and body image 14.5 (SD=4.17, range 5-20). Sexual functioning (p<.01) and LVAD technology confidence (p=.04) significantly predicted body image. Conclusions: Healthcare professionals should be aware of challenges regarding body image faced by LVAD implanted patients and to address related factors. (c) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Self-care behaviours of patients with left ventricular assist devices in Israel: changes during the COVID-19 pandemic

AimsLeft ventricular assist devices (LVADs) support the hearts of patients with advanced heart failure. Following LVAD implantation, patients face a complex regimen of self-care behaviours including self-care maintenance, self-care monitoring and self-care management. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, symptoms of anxiety and depression may have interfered with their self-care. Currently, little is known on how specific self-care behaviours of LVAD-implanted patients changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aim to describe the changes in self-care behaviours among patients with an implanted LVAD in Israel during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the factors related to self-care behaviour change. MethodsA prospective observational cross-sectional study design. A convenience sample of 27 Israeli LVAD-implanted patients (mean age 62.4 +/- 9, 86% male, 78.6% living with a partner) completed the LVAD Self-Care Behaviour Scale (1 = never to 5 = always) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (0 = not at all to 3 = most of the time). Data were collected before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests, Pearsons correlations, and one-way repeated measures ANOVAs. ResultsDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant decrease was found in patients adherence to checking and recording their LVAD speed, flow, power and PI (Pulsatility Index) (P = 0.05), checking their INR (P = 0.01), and daily weighing (P &amp;lt; 0.01). The prevalence of some behaviours (e.g. regularly exercising) increased in some patients and decreased in others. Patients living without a partner worsened their adherence to some of the self-care behaviours (e.g. taking medicines as prescribed), compared with those living with a partner (M-b = 5.0 +/- 0 and M-d = 5.0 +/- 0, delta = 0 vs. M-b = 5.0 +/- 0 and M-d = 4.6 +/- 0.9, delta = -0.4, respectively; F = 4.9, P = 0.04). Women, and not men, tended to improve their adherence to the self-care behaviour such as avoiding kinking, pulling, or moving the LVAD driveline at the exit site (M-b = 4.0 +/- 1.0 and M-d = 5.0 +/- 0, delta = 1.0 vs. M-b = 4.5 +/- 0.9 and M-d = 4.4 +/- 1.2, delta = -0.1, F = 4.7, P = 0.04, respectively). In total, 41% (11) patients reported neither anxiety nor depression, 11% (3) reported anxiety, 15% (4) reported depression, and 44% (12) reported both anxiety and depression. No associations between anxiety and/or depression and self-care behaviours were found. ConclusionsPriorities in self-care behaviours among patients with implanted LVAD changed after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors that assisted with adherence to self-care behaviours included living with a partner and being female. The current results may guide further research on identifying behaviours that are at risk of not being maintained during a time of emergency.Funding Agencies|Nursing &amp; Allied Professional Training Grant from the ESC (European Society ofCardiology)</p