Pilot Testing ENABLE-LVAD: An Early Palliative Care Intervention for Family Caregivers (FCGs) of Patients with a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)

There are no tested interventions to date to support the role of family caregivers caring for patients with LVAD. In addition, there is little formalized training or resources provided to LVAD clinicians around how to practice primary palliative care and support FCGs. To address these needs, we have begun initial development of ENABLE-LVAD, an early palliative care intervention to optimize the role and outcomes of FCGs of patients with LVADs. This pragmatic, pilot randomized trial will assess the feasibility, acceptability, and explore preliminary signs of efficacy of the first support intervention specific to FCGs of patients with LVADs. Results will be used to inform a future R01 clinical trial.