Mechanical Circulatory Support for patients in heart failure - The Patient Experience

Mechanical Circulatory Support: Lived VAD Experience

Presented by: Dr. Laura Hawryluck

Date: January 11, 2023 at 12PM EST

Abstract: 
Patients have often had a long journey prior to facing major cardiac interventions such as a VAD, or transplantation. They have often already experienced symptoms of anxiety and depression during their course of illness, which are heightened by the admission to an ICU. For other patients, they may find themselves in the ICU following an unexpected life-threatening event, trying to understand the events that brought them there. Patients in the ICU awaiting or having undergone major interventions often face uncertainty, loss of control, as well as physical distress, compounded by psychological distress. We will focus on exploring the patient’s journey in the ICU and examining the role of the healthcare team in supporting their patient.  

About the Speaker:
Laura is an intensivist and I'm a psychiatrist and will be approaching it from that perspective. 

To register for this webinar, please email zoe@cccn.ca