Abstract: Objective: To systematically evaluate and integrate the experiences of patients with Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) and their caregivers participating in the whole care, so as to provide a reference for formulating a whole care management plan for those patients and their caregivers. Methods: Qualitative studies related to the whole care experience of LVAD patients and their caregivers were retrieved from the Chinese and English databases from their inception to October 31, 2024. The 2016th edition of evaluation criteria for qualitative research on evidence-based health care issued by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included literature, and the pooled integration method was used to integrate the results. Results: A total of 14 articles were included, and 48 research results were extracted and integrated into 9 new categories, including 3 integrated results: complex decision-making background and underestimated care burden, great care dilemmas and social pressures, and diversified social support and needs. Conclusion: Medical staff should pay attention to the psychosocial changes and care experience of LVAD patients and their caregivers, improve disease cognition, strengthen continuous nursing management, improve social support system, and meet diversified care needs.

Key words: Left Ventricular Assist Device; whole way; caregivers; caregiving experience; qualitative research; Meta-synthesis