The contemporary patient undergoing CABG surgery has changed dramatically from patients undergoing the procedure a decade ago. Current patients are older and have more diffuse disease and left ventricular dysfunction. Many of the complications reflect the current characteristics of the CABG surgery patient. Despite these changes, patients can be expected to have good surgical outcomes. New indications for surgical treatment have many implications for a change in the approach to nursing management and nursing research.

Aged↗

PubMed1991

Novacor left ventricular assist system.

Clinical investigation of the Novacor ventricular assist system has been ongoing since 1984. Major successes have been achieved using the device as a bridge to heart transplant. This system uses an electrically driven, pulsatile pump implanted in the left upper abdominal quadrant. The system has demonstrated the ability to provide long-term patient support, a feature that allows patients to become mobile and active once recovered from their initial heart failure. By the time of transplant, nutrition is restored, activity tolerance is improved, and most patients require no inotropic support. The system allows patients to recover from cardiogenic shock by providing total systemic circulatory support.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Improving recovery following cardiac surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

To enhance individual and family health during recovery from heart surgery, this study employed nursing interventions based on self-efficacy and family stress theory during the hospitalization period and for 3 months thereafter. The effectiveness of the interventions were assessed through a randomized trial in which 67 prospective bypass and valve surgery patients, aged 30-77 years, and their spouses, were allocated either the experimental interventions or usual care and followed for 6 months. At 3 months post-surgery, the only statistically significant differences between the experimentals and controls were on perceived self-efficacy for lifting and tolerating emotional distress. At 6 months no significant differences were found on individual or family measures. Analyses revealed that age, gender and preoperative cardiac status significantly affected individual recovery. The study is continuing with a larger sample in order to explicate the recovery process and to better determine whether a low intensity nursing intervention can effect changes in individual and family recovery.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Impact of symptom frequency and symptom distress on self-reported quality of life in heart transplant recipients.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗