Abstract 11748: Mechanical Circulatory Supportmeasures of Adjustment and Quality of Life: Findings on Self-Reported Mental Health.

Introduction: Mental health in patients (pts) with advanced heart failure (HF) who undergo implantation of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is poorly described. Further research is needed to identify areas of risk and guide mental health-related therapies. The purpose of this report is to describe and compare mental health sub-domains at early, mid, and later time periods after durable MCS implantation with a left ventricular assist device. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, we enrolled 238 MCS pts who were at least 3 months post implantation from 9 US sites between 10/26/16 - 11/21/17. Mental health sub-domains, assessed via self-report, were perception of anxiety and depression (PROMIS, v1.0), perception of cognitive function (PROMIS, v2.0), stigma (Neuro-QoL, modified), and spirituality (FACIT-Sp-12, v4). Pt characteristics and mental health sub-domains were compared across time periods with Chi-Square tests and ANOVAs. Results: The majority of pts were male, White, and well educated; age differed by time period post implant. Etiology of HF and implant strategy were similar among time periods. For all three time periods, anxiety and depression scores approximated the US general population mean (50). Cognitive function scores across the three time periods were also similar to the US general population mean (50). Pts at all time periods reported never to rarely experiencing stigma; pts >6mos-24mos post implant reported more stigma than pts earlier or later post implant. Pts at all time periods reported very good spiritual well-being; scores trended lower (worse) among pts >6-24 mos. post implant (Table). Conclusions: MCS pts at all three times post implant reported anxiety, depression, and cognitive function similar to that of the US general population. Spiritual well-being was high, and stigma was low, although it varied by time period. These findings may provide direction for mental health focused therapies after MCS implantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]