Abstract 18679: Sex Ed Can Never Be Bad With a VAD

Abstract

Introduction: Little is known about the impact on sexual activity and sexual quality of life in patients with durable left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Objective: To describe the impact of LVADs on sexual quality of life, depression, and anxiety in patients and their partners. Methods: This is a single-center, prospective, observational analysis from December 2021 to May 2023. Consecutive patients ≥4 months post-LVAD implantation and their partners completed the Sexual Activities in Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients Or PaRtners (SALVADOR) questionnaire to assess sexual quality of life, the Patient Health Questionniare 8 Item (PHQ-8) to assess symptoms of depression and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 Item (GAD-7) to assess symptoms of anxiety. Results: 61 patients and 58 partners completed the questionnaires. 87% patients and 14% partners were male. The median age of patients was 58 years with 87% living with their partner and 13% being single. 10% of patients and 19% of partners had a current diagnosis of a psychological condition, most frequently depression and/or anxiety. Overall, 50% of participants indicated that the VAD influenced their sexual activity. Disturbances from the driveline was the most common problem indicated. 24% of participants had scored in the mild to moderate depression range on the PHQ-8 and 29% scored in the mild to severe anxiety range on the GAD-7. The median total GAD-7 were comparable between patients and partners; whereas patients had a higher total PHQ-8 score. A preference to receive information regarding sexuality while on VAD support was indicated by 55% of participants and did not differ between patients and partners. Written resources was the most common preferred source of information. Conclusion: LVADs severely affect the sexual quality of life for patients and their partners. The presence of a driveline is a major cause for concern. Patients prefer receiving information on how to improve their sexual quality of life.