Citation

Tigges-Limmer K, Schönbrodt M, Roefe D, Arusoglu L, Morshuis M, Gummert JF. J. Heart Lung Transplant. 2010; 29(6): 692-694.

Affiliation

Clinic for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart Center North Rhine-Westphalia, Ruhr-University of Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Mosby-Year Book)

DOI

10.1016/j.healun.2009.12.005

PMID

20207168

Abstract

Depression and anxiety are well documented in patients with end-stage heart failure and correlate with a higher risk of suicide. We report a 69-year-old depressed patient who committed suicide by disconnecting the driveline of his left ventricular assist device almost 3 years after implantation. We provide the medical, psychologic, and psychiatric background of this unique case. This report highlights the importance of pre-implant psychologic screening, the need for regular and long-term psychologic support for this vulnerable patient population, and the need for more qualitative research on patients' views on living with a left ventricular assist device, together with research exploring risk profiles for depression and suicide.

Language: en