A failing heart and the downside of life-prolonging technology

Health Aff (Millwood). 2015 Aug;34(8):1418-22. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2014.1050.

¹ Kristin M. Kostick (Kristin.Kostick@bcm.edu) is a research associate at the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, Texas.
² Jennifer Blumenthal-Barby is an associate professor there. The authors thank Brenda and Richard for sharing their story and reflections with the authors through a series of interviews conducted at Richard's treatment center, and for giving them permission to publish this narrative. The authors have given Brenda and Richard pseudonyms to protect their identities. The authors also thank Courtney Bruce, Estevan Delgado, and Lidija Wilhelms for their contributions to the research that led to this narrative. This work was supported through a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Program Award (No. 1306-01769). All statements in this report, including its findings and conclusions, are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the PCORI, its Board of Governors, or its Methodology Committee.

Abstract

For a man with end-stage heart failure, a left ventricular assist device prolongs life but brings dire complications.

Keywords: Ethical Issues; Personal Experience (-Narrative Matters-); Quality Of Care.

Project HOPE—The People-to-People Health Foundation, Inc.