Development & Testing of a Decision Aid for LVAD Placement (NCT02248974) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Development & Testing of a Decision Aid for LVAD Placement
United States98 participantsStarted 2014-02
Plain-language summary
The goal of this project is to develop a patient-centered decision aid for decision-making about end-stage heart failure treatment. This study seeks to create a decision aid that presents outcomes, risks, projected experiences, and uncertainties about Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) placement to help patients make values-based decisions about placement. The investigators propose a mixed methods design involving a literature search of clinical evidence, semi-structured patient interviews, and quantitative data from a multi-site trial of patients receiving the decision aid compared to patients not receiving the aid.
Who can participate
Age range
30 Years – 85 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* LVAD Candidates (NYHA Class III and IV patients with an acceptable surgical risk/benefit ratio for LVAD implantation and with good psychosocial support, coping mechanisms, and financial resources, as determined by "clearance" from the transplant social worker)
* LVAD Patients
* LVAD Decliners
* LVAD Caregivers
Exclusion Criteria:
* subjects who lack the capacity to give informed consent
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Knowledge Scale
Timeframe: Baseline
2
Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Knowledge Scale
Timeframe: 1-Week Follow-up
3
Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) Knowledge Scale