Nursing care plans for patients with ventricular assist devices:  A holistic evaluation based on clinical observations and practice recommendations: Ventricular assist device nursing

Neslihan Bektaş

doi:10.28982/josam.8243

Authors

Neslihan Bektaş Bahçeşehir University, Vocational School of Health Services, Beşiktaş, İstanbul, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0702-4630

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.28982/josam.8243

Keywords:

nursing care, advanced nursing practice, ventricular assist devices, artificial organs

Abstract

Ventricular assist device (VAD) nursing is a critical specialty in the management of patients with advanced heart failure and cardiomyopathy. VAD nurses play an essential role in the preoperative preparation, intraoperative coordination, and postoperative care of patients receiving mechanical circulatory support, particularly those awaiting heart transplantation. These devices assist in improving cardiac function, but their use carries risks, such as infection, bleeding, thrombosis, device malfunction, and psychological challenges. Therefore, VAD nurses must possess expertise not only in general nursing care but also in infection prevention, anticoagulation management, patient education, and psychosocial support. As integral members of multidisciplinary teams, VAD nurses are responsible for educating patients on device management, ensuring safety, and promoting quality of life. With technological advancements, the role of VAD nurses has become increasingly significant in preventing complications and maintaining patient stability. In conclusion, VAD nursing is vital for improving patient outcomes and enhancing quality of life. Continued education and interprofessional collaboration are essential for advancing expertise and ensuring high-quality patient care.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Jefferson HL, Kent WDT, MacQueen KT, Miller RJH, Holloway DD, Fatehi Hassanabad A. Left ventricular assist devices: A comprehensive review of major clinical trials, devices, and future directions. J Card Surg. 2021;36:1480-91. doi:10.1111/jocs.15341.

Birati EY, Jessup M. Left ventricular assist devices in the management of heart failure. Card Fail Rev. 2015;1(1):25-30. doi:10.15420/CFR.2015.01.01.25.

Moeller CM, Valledor AF, Oren D, Rubinstein G, Sayer GT, Uriel N. Evolution of mechanical circulatory support for advanced heart failure. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2024;82:135-46. doi:10.1016/j.pcad.2024.01.018.

Frigerio M. Left ventricular assist device: Indication, timing, and management. Heart Fail Clin. 2021;17(4):619-34. doi:10.1016/j.hfc.2021.05.007.

George AN, Hsia TY, Schievano S, Bozkurt S. Complications in children with ventricular assist devices: Systematic review and meta-analyses. Heart Fail Rev. 2022;27:903-13. doi:10.1007/s10741-021-10093-x.

Tycińska A, Grygier M, Biegus J, Czarnik T, Dąbrowski M, Depukat R, et al. Mechanical circulatory support. An expert opinion of the Association of Intensive Cardiac Care and Association of Cardiovascular Interventions of the Polish Cardiac Society. Kardiol Pol. 2021;79(12):1399-410. doi:10.33963/KP.a2021.0169.

Sun L, Wang Y, Xu D, Zhao Y. Emerging technologies for cardiac tissue engineering and artificial hearts. Smart Med. 2023;2(1):e20220040. doi:10.1002/SMMD.20220040.

Saygin AT, Jackson L, Barton P, Beese S, Chidubem OO, Lim S, et al. Cost effectiveness of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) as destination therapy: A systematic review. Pharmacoecon Open. 2025. doi:10.1007/s41669-025-00564-4.

Bali RK. Operating room protocols and infection control. In: Bonanthaya K, Panneerselvam E, Manuel S, Kumar VV, Rai A, editors. Oral and maxillofacial surgery for the clinician. Singapore: Springer; 2021. doi:10.1007/978-981-15-1346-6_9.

Pasarakonda S, Grote G, Schmutz JB, Bogdanovic J, Guggenheim M, Manser T. A Strategic Core Role Perspective on Team Coordination: Benefits of Centralized Leadership for Managing Task Complexity in the Operating Room. Hum Factors. 2021 Aug;63(5):910-925. doi: 10.1177/0018720820906041.

Sastri VR. Plastics in medical devices: Properties, requirements, and applications. Oxford: William Andrew (Elsevier); 2021.

Baş M. Sağlık yönetiminde teknolojik yaklaşımlar-1. Ankara: Eğitim Yayınevi; 2024.

Khorram-Manesh A, Dulebenets MA, Goniewicz K. Implementing public health strategies—The need for educational initiatives: A systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(11):5888. doi:10.3390/ijerph18115888.

Fowler J, Jarvis P, Chevannes M. Practical statistics for nursing and health care [Internet]. Hoboken (NJ): John Wiley & Sons; 2021 [cited 2025 Jul 28]. Available from: https://books.google.com.tr/books?hl=tr&lr=&id=QcAlEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR11

Brocard E, Reveiz L, Régnaux J-P, Abdala V, Ramón-Pardo P, del Rio Bueno A. Antibiotic prophylaxis for surgical procedures: A scoping review. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2021;45:e62. doi:10.26633/RPSP.2021.62.

Tibi P, McClure RS, Huang J, Baker RA, Fitzgerald D, Mazer C, et al. STS/SCA/AmSECT/SABM update to the clinical practice guidelines on patient blood management. J Extra Corpor Technol. 2021;53:97-124. doi:10.1051/ject/202153097.

Jimeno-San Martín L, Goñi-Viguria R, Bengoechea L, Fernandez E, Mendiluce N, Romero C, et al. Postoperative management and nursing care after implantation of a total artificial heart: Scoping review. Enferm Intensiva (Engl Ed). 2024;35(3):213-28. doi:10.1016/j.enfie.2023.08.006.

Mueller PS. Ethical and legal concerns associated with withdrawing mechanical circulatory support: A U.S. perspective. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2022;9:897955. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2022.897955.

Pasquer A, Ducarroz S, Lifante JC, et al. Operating room organization and surgical performance: A systematic review. Patient Saf Surg. 2024;18:5. doi:10.1186/s13037-023-00388-3.

Ramírez-Torres CA, Pedraz-Marcos A, Maciá-Soler ML, Rivera-Sanz F. A scoping review of strategies used to implement the surgical safety checklist. AORN J. 2021;113:610-9. doi:10.1002/aorn.13396.

Hernandez AJ, Abenhaim HA, Zernikow B. Preoperative patient education: Improving patient outcomes and safety. J Surg Res. 2020;250:1-7. doi:10.1016/j.jss.2020.01.016.

World Health Organization. WHO surgical safety checklist and implementation manual [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2009 [cited 2025 Jul 28]. Available from: https://www.leapfroggroup.org/sites/default/files/Files/Implementation%20manual%20WHO%20surgical%20safety%20checklist%202009.pdf

Sartelli M, Coccolini F, Labricciosa FM, Al Omari AH, Bains L, Baraket O, et al. Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis: A proposal for a global evidence-based bundle. Antibiotics (Basel). 2024;13(1):100. doi:10.3390/antibiotics13010100.

Yilmaz K, Aktaş D, Yazici G, Koçaşli S. Cerrahi hemşirelerinin görev, yetki ve sorumlulukları hakkındaki bilgi düzeyleri. Turkiye Klinikleri J Nurs Sci. 2021;13(3):477-83. doi:10.5336/nurses.2020-80632.

Ministry of Health of the Republic of Turkey. Regulation on amendments to the nursing regulation [Internet]. Official Gazette; 2011 [cited 2025 Feb 27]. Available from: https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2011/04/20110419-5.htm

Copeland J, Langford S, Giampietro J, Arancio J, Arabia F. Total artificial heart update. Surg Technol Int. 2021;39:243-8. doi:10.52198/21.STI.38.CV1449.

Giovanelli L, Rotondo F, Fadda N. Management training programs in healthcare: Effectiveness factors, challenges and outcomes. BMC Health Serv Res. 2024;24:904. doi:10.1186/s12913-024-11229-z.

Team L, Bloomer MJ, Redley B. Nurses' roles and responsibilities in cardiac advanced life support: A single-site eDelphi study. Nurs Crit Care. 2024;29(3):466-76. doi:10.1111/nicc.12897.

Lopez-Jimenez F, Attia Z, Arruda-Olson AM, Carter R, Chareonthaitawee P, Jouni H, et al. Artificial intelligence in cardiology: Present and future. Mayo Clin Proc. 2020;95(5):1015-39. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2020.01.038.

Laari L, Anim-Boamah O, Boso CM, et al. Integrative review of soft skills: The desirable traits and skills in nursing practise. 2021. doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-605637/v1.

Skråmm SH, Smith Jacobsen IL, Hanssen I. Communication as a non-technical skill in the operating room: A qualitative study. Nurs Open. 2021;8(4):1822-8. doi:10.1002/nop2.830.

Martinez-Nicolas I, Arnal-Velasco D, Romero-García E, Fabregas N, Sanduende Otero Y, Leon I, et al. Perioperative patient safety recommendations: Systematic review of clinical practice guidelines. BJS Open. 2024;8(6):zrae143. doi:10.1093/bjsopen/zrae143.