From left ventricular assist device to transplant to home: An interdisciplinary team approach to treating medically complex cardiac patients during the bridge to transplantation: A case report.

Abstract

A 56-year-old man presented with advanced heart failure requiring implantation of a left ventricular assist device and was discharged home. after implantation He returned to the hospital with right posterior putamen stroke and after a comprehensive rehabilitation programme was discharged home with the ability to be independent. The patient later underwent heart transplantation and subsequently required readmission to inpatient rehabilitation. He again completed a comprehensive rehabilitation programme and returned home with the ability to be independent with use of a single-point cane for ambulation. Patients with advanced heart failure present a challenge to the rehabilitation team, but with a multidisciplinary approach and physiatrist leadership patients can return home and achieve improved quality of life.