Shannon M. Dunlay, M.D., M.S.

The primary purpose of this study is to identify which aspects of treatment are most prevalent and burdensome to patients with advanced heart failure.

The purpose of this study is to assess the real-world effectiveness and implementation process for allocation of advanced therapies for heart failure (HF), heart transplants and ventricular assist devices, in randomized controlled trial in which participants will be randomized at the group level.

Allocation of advanced therapies for HF is subjective and often biased. We have developed a multi-component standardized protocol (SOCIAL HF) that is designed to achieve racial/ethnic and gender equity in the allocation process by using evidence-based tools to reduce bias, improve objectivity, and improve group function.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of a new shared decision support tool. Using feedback from patients, caregivers, and clinicians, a paper and video decision aid has been made to help people who are offered DT LVAD (a partial artificial heart—so-called destination therapy left ventricular assist device) make this most difficult of decisions. Although patients may live longer with a DT LVAD, it poses many risks, including stroke, serious infection, and bleeding.Unlike the information that is now available, our decision aid focuses on options, fears, and the needs of caregivers, is balanced, and is paired with training for doctors and nurses on how to best talk about DT LVAD.

The purpose of this study is to identify the burden, benefits, or impact of caregiving on the health of the caregiver and patient with heart failure.

The purpose of this study is to describe if and how men and women interpret Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) questions differently using qualitative interviews.

We will longitudinally (at enrollment and 6 months after) ascertain patients’ end of life preferences, patient activation and health literacy in prospectively enrolled Southeastern Minnesota residents hospitalized with heart failure (HF). 

We will define the relationship between HF patients’ end of life preferences and degree of advance care planning and healthcare resource utilization. 

We will measure perceived treatment burden in patients hospitalized with heart failure using a novel questionnaire that has been validated in patients with multimorbidity. 

Real-world evidence of the clinical course of patient symptoms following initiation of sacubitril/valsartan via PROs with a patient-centered study design will provide important evidence of potentially beneficial outcomes associated with the use of this therapy.

The purpose of this study is to use patient interviews and qualitative research methods to determine the gaps in the current KCCQ in patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Also, to construct a KCCQ-TR supplement and perform cognitive debriefing with patients. Additionally, to examine the psychometric properties of the current KCCQ in patients with severe TR.