LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device)

Research has shown that LVAD patients and their caregivers typically experience increased mental health concerns and decreased quality of life following LVAD implantation and hospital discharge. The purpose of this study is to explore how to improve quality of life for LVAD patients and their caregivers in the initial transition from hospital to home after LVAD implantation. Over the course of the study, participants will complete 2 surveys: one when participants are in the hospital and one at a 2-month post-hospital follow-up appointment with the participants' cardiologist. Participants may be contacted if there is data missing from surveys. Participants may also be provided with information on improving mental health in the form of handouts or a brief meeting with a psychology provider.

This multi-center, prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study aims to investigate whether withdrawal of aspirin from the antithrombotic regimen in patients supported with the CH-VAD pump is non-inferior to the standard antithrombotic regimen of vitamin K antagonist combined with aspirin in terms of safety and efficacy.

Prospective, single-arm feasibility study will evaluate the use of an ultraslow deflation automated sphygmomanometer (Terumo Elemano 2) for home BP monitoring in patients with continuous-flow LVADs. Outcomes include patient-reported ability to obtain BP readings, adherence, ease of use, and correlation with clinical parameters. Findings may support improved BP monitoring strategies in this high-risk population.

The RECOVER study, titled Cardiac Rehabilitation Cohort at the Medicine Campus Davos for Exploration of Recovery, is a prospective, non-interventional, monocentric cohort study conducted at the Hochgebirgsklinik Davos. The study is sponsored by Medicine Campus Davos AG and the Kühne Foundation, with an estimated start date in July 2025 and planned completion by December 2034, with the possibility of extension. The principal investigator of the study is PD Dr. David Niederseer from Hochgebirgsklinik Davos, who also represents the study. The research team includes co-investigators such as Prof. Dr. Stefan Blankenberg and Prof. Dr. Andreas Ziegler from Cardio-CARE, Medicine Campus Davos, as well as Dr. Jan Vontobel from Hochgebirgsklinik Davos. The study will enroll patients referred to Hochgebirgsklinik Davos for cardiac rehabilitation who provide informed consent. Cardiac rehabilitation is an evidence-based therapy for patients with heart disease, including those who have undergone cardiac procedures or surgeries. The primary objectives are to evaluate baseline patient characteristics, rehabilitation strategies, predictors of recovery, and clinical outcomes during and after rehabilitation. To support this, a detailed database and biobank will be established to allow for comprehensive phenotyping, extensive clinical assessments, and long-term follow-up. RECOVER seeks to gain translational insights into how patient-specific factors - such as genetics, plasma, digital and clinical biomarkers, and comorbidities - influence long-term clinical outcomes. The goal is to identify modifiable risk factors to optimize individualized therapeutic approaches in cardiac rehabilitation.