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Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Benefits of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in an Asynchronous Heart Failure Model Induced by Left Bundle Branch Ablation and Rapid Pacing
Published on: December 11, 2017
"Doubtful accepting": A grounded theory study of living with cardiac resynchronization therapy
Shadi Dehghanzadeh1, Nahid Dehghan Nayeri2, Shokoh Varaei2
1Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran.
Abstract:
Heart failure is associated with low quality of life and a high mortality rate. There is limited information about patients' experiences of living with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). In the present study, we sought to explore the process of living with CRT defibrillator. This qualitative study was completed from December 2014 to April 2016 using a grounded theory approach. Twenty semistructured interviews were held with 17 patients with heart failure. Data analysis was done via a previously-published approach. The core category of the process of living with the device is "doubtful accepting". This process includes three sequential phases: losing integrity, attempting to cope with the device, and coexisting. The process takes place in a context of barriers and facilitators, and results in a wide spectrum of outcomes, from frustration to empowerment. Nurses' awareness of this process can help them provide higher quality care, strengthen facilitators and reduce barriers to the process, and enable patients to effectively use coping strategies.
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