Shared decision support with the use of standardized decision aids improves decision quality and reduces implantation of left ventricular assist device as destination therapy (DT-LVAD) in patients with advanced heart failure. [Allen LA, AHA 2017, session LBS.06

In a real-world study in 248 patients considering DT-LVAD, researchers found improved decision quality in the intervention group (n=113) of patients who received education provided by healthcare staff along with a pamphlet (88 percent) or video (92 percent) decision aid.

Patients’ knowledge improved by 10.9 percent in the intervention group, compared with a 5.4 percent improvement in the control group (n=135) of patients who received usual care. Values-choice concordance was also higher in the intervention vs control group (correlation coefficient, 0.48 vs 0.17).

At 6 months, DT-LVAD implantation rate was 54 percent in the intervention group vs 80 percent in the control group – a significant 26 percent difference (p=0.008).

No significant differences were found between the groups in secondary outcomes such as decision regret, illness acceptance, stress, depression and quality of life.