The Relationship Between Psychological Symptoms and Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) improve quality of life in advanced heart failure patients, but there are little data exploring psychological symptoms in this population.

This study examined the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and disease over time in VAD patients.

This prospective multicenter cohort study enrolled patients immediately before or after VAD implant and followed them up to 48 weeks. Depression and anxiety were assessed with Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short Form 8a questionnaires. The panic disorder, acute stress disorder (ASD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) modules of the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM were used.

Eighty-seven patients were enrolled. After implant, depression and anxiety scores decreased significantly over time (P = 0.03 and P < 0.001, respectively). Two patients met criteria for panic disorder early after implantation, but symptoms resolved over time. None met criteria for ASD or PTSD.

Our study suggests VADs do not cause serious psychological harms and may have a positive impact on depression and anxiety. Furthermore, VADs did not induce PTSD, panic disorder, or ASD in this cohort.