Biomedical subjects

M H Hawthorne

Publications and source records attributed to M H Hawthorne.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1996

Nonpharmacologic interventions in the treatment of heart failure.

Chronic heart failure represents a significant challenge to caregivers because these patients are fragile, care is complex, and the numbers of patients are increasing dramatically. The anticipated illness trajectory is also rapidly changing due to the advent of pharmacologic interventions that offer greatly improved outcomes and quality of life for these patients. Despite such advances, mortality and morbidity remain high. Therefore, an important goal is to develop and evaluate nonpharmacologic interventions as adjuvant therapy to the traditional pharmacologic approach. Although relatively few studies have examined nonpharmacologic treatment strategies, it appears that many patients with heart failure may benefit significantly from participation in long-term aerobic exercise conditioning programs. Psychological and biobehavioral interventions also have the potential to substantially enhance treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients with chronic heart failure. This article reviews the available literature about nonpharmacologic strategies in the treatment of heart failure along with specific recommendations for practice.

Exercise Therapy↗

PubMed1994

Gender differences in recovery after coronary artery surgery.

Coronary artery bypass surgery is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures for coronary heart disease, which is the leading cause of illness in American men and women over the age of 50. Since perceptions of events have been shown to significantly affect outcomes after major cardiac illness, it is crucial for nurses to understand patients' perceptions of these events. This article explores how perceptions of cardiac surgery differ considerably by gender and role expectations, and how such differences can influence recovery.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

Functional status, mood disturbance and quality of life in patients with heart failure.

Patients with chronic heart failure are known not only for exceptionally high mortality rates, but also for having the highest reported hospital readmission rates for all patient groups. Analysis of preliminary descriptive data from 24 patients currently enrolled in an experimental study to examine the effects of a nursing model upon reducing readmission rates and improving quality of life are reported in this paper. Results indicate that heart failure patients experience significant mood disruption that appears to be greater than that reported by other cardiac patients; mood disruption is also related to reported quality of life. Reported exercise tolerance was unrelated to ejection fraction; this finding underscores the importance of psychosocial interventions in improving the quality of life and care outcomes for patients with heart failure.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1993

Women recovering from coronary artery bypass surgery.

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death among American women over 50, and women are undergoing surgical revascularization procedures in ever increasing numbers. There are, however, little research-based data upon which to guide the nursing care of these patients. This study explored the nature of the recovery process for women following coronary bypass surgery in order to extend our understanding of the posthospitalization phase of the recovery trajectory. Ten patients participated in semi-structured interviews that were analyzed using thematic analysis. Data reveal significant problems with caregiver recognition and access to care. Barriers to care may also exist due to women's traditional subordinate role in American society and their use of gender specific interactive skills. Recovery for women was found to differ significantly from that: of men due to the later developmental stage when women are more likely to experience cardiac illness.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Using the Trajectory Framework: reconceptualizing cardiac illness.

Cardiac disease is known to be the leading cause of premature morbidity and mortality in the United States. Nursing management of cardiac illnesses, as such, is a primary concern for most practicing nurses. Dramatic changes in cardiac patient populations and associated technology available for treatment indicate a need to reconceptualize the nature of cardiac illness and to consider alternative approaches to guide the care of these patients. Traditional care, to a large degree, has focused upon acute illness, consequently limiting needed attention to the increasing group of patients suffering chronic illness and disability. In the present paper, the major changes in the cardiac patient population and in utilization of available technology are presented. The application of the Corbin and Strauss trajectory framework as an appropriate and useful framework for conceptualizing cardiac illness and care is then discussed. Five characteristics of the framework which render the model particularly well suited to address cardiac care are identified and discussed. These characteristics are: 1) comprehensiveness of care, 2) patient-centered care, 3) gender issues in care, 4) family-focused care, 5) technology and cardiac care.

Coronary Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Exercise intolerance in patients with chronic heart failure.

Patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) experience significant morbidity because of dyspnea and fatigue with activities of daily living. Although central hemodynamic abnormalities are the hallmark of this disorder, investigators have not shown a relationship between left ventricular ejection fraction or exercise pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and exercise intolerance in this disorder. Recent studies have focused on the contributions of pulmonary abnormalities and alterations in peripheral vasomotor control and skeletal muscle in exercise intolerance in this disorder. Early anaerobic metabolism occurs in patients with CHF and appears to be caused by a combination of reduced skeletal muscle blood flow and decreased aerobic enzyme content in skeletal muscle. Atrophy in skeletal muscle and alterations in skeletal muscle fiber typing are accompanied by alterations in contractile function in skeletal muscle. These results suggest that exercise intolerance in patients with CHF is multifactorial, and that research efforts must consider central hemodynamic abnormalities, pulmonary abnormalities, and alterations in peripheral blood flow and skeletal muscle biochemistry and histology. The present review will explore current research in this area and develop a model for understanding exercise intolerance in CHF.

Chronic Disease↗