Colleen McIlvennan from the University of Colorado School of Medicine: Finding Better Options for Care After VAD Implantation

Even after the implantation of a left ventricular assist device there is no guarantee that patients will live much past the procedure. Planning for life after the implant can be as important as the time beforehand.

Colleen K. McIlVennan, DNP, MS, BSN, from the University of Colorado School of Medicine discussed both her work in this field and a presentation she made on the topic during the Heart Failure Society of America's annual meeting in Orlando. McIlvennan said it is important for doctors, patients, and caregivers to be on the same page in order to assure the best results even when that may mean difficult decisions during the process.