A quantitative research design for a descriptive and contextual study to determine the critical care nurses knowledge and data preferences regarding the central venous and pulmonary artery catheters management and decision making after coronary arte.y bypass graft operations and the utmzation period of the pulmonary artery catheter after coronary artery bypass graft operations. The data was collected through a questionnaire completed by critical care nurses and retrospective analysis of patient records through a structured checklist. Data analysis indicated the following: critical care nurses have a knowledge deficit in the management of the central venous and pulmonary artery catheters and felt more competent and confident in the central venous measurements. The utilization period of the pulmonary artery catheter was 48% compared to the 100% of the central venous catheter. / Advanced Nursing Science / M.A. (Advanced Nursing Science)

Thesis ( M. Tech. (Clinical Technology )) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2013 / The best approach to surgical myocardil revascularization remains controversial. It is already known that an inflammatory response exists due to several factors related to the use of CPB. physiological stress response which leads to an increase in pro-inflammatory markers still remains during OPCAB surgery. surgery induces a wide haematological and hemodynamic changes. Hemodynamic and metabolic optimization is of daily importance in the hospital environment. morbidity and mortality. Lactate is also often used to predict clinical outcomes and complications but controversy remains about using this measure because of discrepancies in The aim of the study was to evaluate how metabolic and clinical changes relate to the incidence of complications and clinical outcomes in ACS patients undergoing on-pump and off-pump CABG Sixty patients diagnosed with ACS who received CABG surgery were recruited to participate in the study (30 patients on-pump and 30 patients off-pump). Patients not receiving isolated with reference to the intra-operative and post-operative metabolic data, intra-operative hemodynamic data and post-operative clinical outcomes/complications. lactate levels <5mmol/L or patients with lactate levels >5mmol/L. Comparisons between the two groups were made with reference to the intra-operative and post-operative metabolic data, Intra-operative metabolic data indicated 11 (37.0%) on-pump patients and 6 (20.0%) off-pump patients had peak lactate levels of >5mmol/L during cardiac surgery. The difference between the statistically comparison, the difference cannot be considered clinically relevant. differences (p<0.05) between the lactate < 5mmol/L group and the lactate > 5 mmol/L group. Intra-operative hemodynamic data showed statistically significant differences between the on- Post-operative metabolic data showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between the on-pump and off-pump groups for acid-base balance variables, pH, HCO3- and BE (B) from The metabolites, glucose and lactate, showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between the on-pump and off-pump groups from admission to ICU until 12 hours post- Despite the fact that elevated lactate levels have been described to be associated with adverse outcomes in paediatric- as well as general intensive care admission, no specific lactate level has surgery. Lactate values for the on-pump group were significantly higher during the immediate post- resulting in vasoconstriction and a redistribution of blood flow away from the peripheral tissue and the splanchnic circulation, creating an environment for increased lactate levels in the tissue. indication of a patient's likelihood of experiencing various complications. Both groups recovered to lactate levels of <2mmol/L by the 24th hour post-operatively. According to operatively this is associated with an increased 60-day mortality. The study did show a statistically significant difference between the on-pump and off-pump comparison, the difference cannot be considered conclusive and we can only make suggestions as to the trends seen in the data. Elevated lactate levels show that they may be poorly correlated with clinical outcomes and in order to see a more definite relationship between peak lactate levels and clinical outcomes, a larger study population will be required or perhaps a different lactate cut-off value should be considered. It may also be more useful to see if there is a positive correlation between the duration of time a patient is subjected to peak lactate levels of >5mmol/L and clinical outcomes. We recommend larger study population and change lactate cut-off value to >10mmol/L.

A novel technique for saphenous vein (SV) graft harvesting, the No-touch technique (NT), has been developed at the Dept. of Cardiovascular surgery, Örebro University hospital. With NT the SV is harvested with a pedicle of surrounding tissue. This avoids graft spasm and eliminates the need for distension. The surrounding tissue acts as a structural support and is a rich source of vaso-dilating agents. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) has shown a significantly higher patency rate for NT SV grafts compared to SV grafts harvested with conventional technique (CT). This thesis evaluates some of the properties of the surrounding tissue and compares patency rates between NT SV and radial artery (RA) grafts and patency rates for internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts harvested with and without surrounding tissue. Paper I investigated vasa vasorum (VV) in SV grafts and showed that the NT preserves an intact VV whereas CT does not. This could be one of the mechanisms underlying the improved patency for NT SV grafts. Paper II evaluated VV and associated nitric oxide (NO) in SV and arterial grafts. SV grafts showed a higher number and larger VV, which correlated with NO production, compared to arterial grafts. NT SV grafts showed higher activity for e-NOS compared to CT SV grafts. Paper III is a RCT comparing patency rates between NT SV and RA grafts, three years after surgery, showing a significantly higher patency rate for NT SV grafts. Paper IV is a RCT comparing patency rates for ITA graft harvested with and without surrounding tissue and did not show any difference between graft preparations. In conclusion, the NT for SV graft harvesting preserves an intact vasa vasorum and associated NO production. NT SV grafts show a higher patency rate than RA grafts. Harvesting of ITA with or without surrounding tissue does not affect patency rate.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo comparar as freqüências e concordâncias em percentual os registros de diagnósticos e intervenções de enfermagem entre dois métodos: Sistematização de Assistência de Enfermagem (SAEP) e o Conjunto de Dados de Enfermagem Perioperatória (PNDS) no transoperatório de RM, Os métodos foram empregados por 2 grupos distintos de enfermeiros em 50 pacientes. Os registros encontrados no SAEP foram transcritos, mapeados para o PNDS e então comparados. No PNDS registrou-se 648 diagnósticos e no SAEP 38. A freqüência de intervenções registradas para o PNDS foi 1863 e para SAEP 1587. Não houve concordância em percentual para a presença de diagnósticos entre os métodos estudados. Nas intervenções do domínio segurança, houve concordância acima de 70% em 12 categorias / This study aimed to compare frequency and percentage agreement of nursing diagnosis and interventions documented by two different methods: Perioperative Nursing Care Process (SAEP) and Perioperative Nursing Data Set (PNDS) during intra-operative CABG surgery. The methods were employed by two distinct groups of nurses with 50 patients. SAEP nursing documentation was transcribed, mapped and compared to PNDS. With the PNDS documentation, 648 nursing diagnosis were recorded and 38 with SAEP. Nursing interventions frequency for PNDS were 1863 and SAEP, 1587. There was no percentage agreement of nursing diagnosis between the studied methods. There was over 70% agreement for safety domain interventions, in 12 categories

O objetivo principal deste estudo foi compreender os significados culturais de apoio social e descrever a experiência da enfermidade na perspectiva de um grupo de pessoas submetidas à revascularização do miocárdio (CRVM). O método etnográfico foi utilizado na condução deste estudo bem como os modelos explanatórios, propostos por Arthur Kleinman, foram utilizados para compreender o processo de saúde e doença. Participaram do estudo 11 pacientes moradores de Ribeirão Preto que foram submetidos à CRVM em um hospital terciário e universitário da mesma cidade. Para a coleta de dados, foram utilizados questionário com registro de dados sociodemográficos, entrevista semiestruturada e observações diretas, realizadas na residência dos sujeitos e durante o retorno às consultas médicas. A maioria dos participantes era do sexo feminino (seis), casada, com idade variando entre 49 e 73 anos e ensino fundamental incompleto. A partir da análise e interpretação dos dados, dois temas principais foram identificados: 1) A experiência da revascularização do miocárdio e 2) Significado de apoio social: instrumental e emocional. A notícia da necessidade da CRVM aconteceu de forma inesperada para os pacientes que não relacionavam os sinais e sintomas que apresentavam a qualquer problema de saúde cardiovascular. A necessidade da cirurgia fez com que os pacientes elaborassem diferentes explicações para o problema, como: causas comportamentais (maus hábitos alimentares e tabagismo), físicas (casos na família e consequência de outras doenças crônicas - diabetes e hipertensão arterial), religiosas (desígnio de Deus - provação), sociais (separações, frustrações) e emocionais (muito estresse, nervoso, muitas preocupações, muita ansiedade). Para os pacientes, esse período foi muito difícil, pois não queriam operar, tinham medo de morrer. O apoio dos familiares e de DEUS foi fundamental para tomarem a decisão pela CRVM. Após a CRVM, a principal fonte de apoio para esses pacientes foram os familiares que ofereceram apoio emocional e apoio instrumental. Observamos que o apoio dos profissionais da saúde foi restrito ao ambiente hospitalar e de maneira pontual antes da cirurgia. Para os pacientes, o apoio significou ajuda nas atividades domésticas e de autocuidado, principalmente prestada pelos familiares (cônjuge e filhos). Para os pacientes é muito difícil estar dependente dos familiares, uma vez que antes da doença a situação era inversa. / The main goal of this study was to understand the cultural meanings of social support and to describe the disease experience from the perspective of a group of people submitted to coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Ethnographic method was used to conduct this study, and the explanatory models proposed by Arthur Kleinman were used to understand the health and disease process. Study participants were 11 patients who lived in Ribeirão Preto and were submitted to CABG at a tertiary teaching hospital in the same city. For data collection, a questionnaire was used to register socio-demographic data, as well as a semi-structured interview and direct observations at the subjects\' homes and during medical return appointments. Most participants were female (six), married, with ages ranging from 49 to 73 years and unfinished primary education. Based on data analysis and interpretation, two main themes were identified: 1) The coronary artery by-pass graft experience and2) Meaning of social support: instrumental and emotional. Most patients unexpectedly received the News about the need for the CABG, who did not relate the signs and symptoms they displayed with any cardiovascular health problem. The need for the surgery made patients elaborate different explanations for the problem, such as: behavioral (bad eating habits and smoking), physical (cases in the family and consequences of other chronic illnesses - diabetes and arterial hypertension), religious (designed by God - probation), social (separations, frustrations) and emotional causes (great stress, nervous, many concerns, great anxiety). For patients, this period was very difficult, as they did not want to operate on, they were afraid of dying. The relatives and God\'s support was fundamental to decide on undergoing the CABG. After the CABG, the main support source for these patients were relatives, who offered emotional and instrumental support. We observed that health professionals\' support was restricted to the hospital environment and happenedpromptly before the surgery. For the patients, support meant help with housework and self-care activities and mainly come from relatives (partner and children). It is very difficult for the patients do depend on their family members, as the situation used to be the opposite before the disease.

A fibrilação atrial (FA) é a arritmia mais comum no pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca. Apesar de estar relacionada a alterações estruturais, alguns pacientes, mesmo que sem tais condições, ainda assim, cursam com fibrilação atrial no pós-operatório (FAPO) causando aumento no tempo de internação e custos. Estudos recentes vem ampliando o conhecimento sobre pequenos fragmentos de RNA, chamados de microRNAs (miRNAs) que podem interferir diretamente no aparecimento de algumas doenças na área cardiovascular. O objetivo do presente estudo é: 1) comparar a expressão dos miRNAs 1, 23 e 26 entre pacientes com e sem FAPO; 2) comparar nos grupos a expressão destes miRNAs entre os período pré e pós-cirúrgico; 3)comparar a expressão dos genes GJA1, KCNJ2, CACNB1, CACNA1C e KCNN3 entre os tempos pré e pós-cirúrgico no grupo FAPO; 4) comparar estes últimos genes no tecido atrial; 5) comparar os genes relacionados à produção de interleucinas (IL)-1, 6 e fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF?) entre os grupos e entre os tempos pré e pós-cirúrgico; 6)avaliar as características clínicas e evolutivas da população estudada. Pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica foram submetidos à coleta de 20ml de sangue pré e pós-cirurgia bem como fragmento de tecido atrial. Um total de 143 pacientes compuseram os grupos: FAPO (24 pacientes), controle genético (24 pacientes) e controle total (97 pacientes + 24 grupo controle genético). Do ponto de vista clínico observou-se maior idade, tempo de anóxia, tempo de internação em terapia intensiva e hospitalar no grupo FAPO. A análise genética revelou menor expressão do miRNA-23 no grupo FAPO (p=0,02). A comparação entre os períodos pré e pós-cirúrgico revelou redução dos três miRNAs no tempo pós-cirúrgico (p<0,05) e dos genes relacionados às proteínas de canal (p<0,05). A comparação no tecido não evidenciou alterações entre os grupos. Os genes relacionados ás citocinas revelaram redução no período pós-cirúrgico (p<0,05) em ambos os grupos. Concluiu-se que o miRNA-23 pode ter implicação no surgimento da FAPO e outros miRNAs não estudados devem estar envolvidos neste processo uma vez que houve redução de outros genes de canais relacionados ao aparecimento de FAPO. / Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia after cardiac surgery. AF is related to cardiac structural changes although a group of patients still remains developing post-operative atrial fibrillation (FAPO) even without those changes, leading to more days in the hospital and costs. Recent studies showed that short fragments of RNA, called microRNA (miRNA) can contribute to the development of several diseases in the cardiovascular area. The aim of this study is to 1) compare the expression of miRNA-1, 23 and 26 between the group with and without FAPO; 2) compare, in the FAPO group, the expression of these miRNAs in the pre and post-surgery periods; 3) compare the expression of GJA1, KCNJ2, CACNB1, CACNA1C e KCNN3 genes between the pre and post-surgery periods; 4) compare this genes in atrial tissue; 5) compare the genes related to inflammation cytokines as interleukin(IL)-1, 6 and alpha tumoral necrosis factor between the groups in the pre and post-surgery periods; 6) evaluate clinical and evaluative patterns of the study population. Twenty milliliters of blood samples in the pre and post-operative periods and an atrial fragment were extracted from patients submitted to coronary artery bypass graft surgery. A total of 143 patients were divided in the FAPO group (24 patients), genetic control group (24 patients) and a total control (97 + 24 genetic control patients). The clinical analysis showed bigger age and clamp-time, more days in the intensive care unit and hospital in the FAPO group. The genetic analysis revealed less expression of miRNA-23 in the FAPO group (p=0.02). The comparison between the pre and post-surgery periods showed reduction in the three studied miRNAs (p<0.05) and reduction in the genes related to the production of the membrane protein channel sites. The comparisons in the atrial tissue didn´t show any difference in the study groups. The cytokines showed post-surgery reduction (p<0.05) in both groups. The conclusion is that miRNA-23 can be implicated in FAPO as others miRNAs not studied can also be, once there was a significative reduction in the genes related to FAPO development.

<p>Kranskärlsoperationen är för patienten en stor händelse som leder till många frågor och funderingar. Tidigare forskning har visat att patienter som genomgått en ranskärlsoperation har stort behov av information. Vårt syfte med studien var att beskriva informationen vid en kranskärlsoperation. Studien gjordes som en itteraturstudie. Resultatet av studien utföll i tre kategorier, informationsmetoder, vad informationen innehöll samt olika faktorer som påverkade patientinformationen. Information gavs skriftligt, muntligt, som videofilm, med Internet eller av en patient som tidigare gjort en kranskärlsoperation, ofta i kombination med varandra. Vad patienten ville att informationen skulle innehålla varierade från person till person beroende på i vilken fas patienten befann sig, pre- eller postoperativt. Flera faktorer framkom som var av betydelse. Det var viktigt för patienterna att personalen tog sig tid att lyssna och svara på frågor och funderingar. Patienter med litet socialt nätverk hade större behov av information än andra med stort socialt nätverk. En annan betydelsefull sak var att patienterna lätt skulle kunna komma i kontakt med kompetent personal både innan operationen och efter utskrivningen. Slutsatsen av resultatet var att informationen bör vara individuellt anpassad utifrån varje patients behov. Fortsatt forskning behövs för utveckling av en god patientinformation kring patienternas upplevelse av olika sorters informationssätt, samt att utveckla kontakt med patienter som tidigare gjort en kranskärlsoperation</p> / <p>Coronary artery bypass is for the patient a major event leading to many questions and concerns. Previous research has shown that patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass have great needs of information. Our aim of this study was to describe information before and after a coronary artery bypass. The study was done as a literature review. The results of the study were distributed into three categories, information methods, information content and the various factors that affect patient information. Information was given in writing, orally, by video, by Internet or by a patient previously undergoing a coronary artery surgery, usually in combination with each other. What the patient wanted the information should contain varied from person to person depending on what stage the patient was, pre- or postoperatively. Several factors emerged that were relevant. It was important for the patients that the staff took the time to listen and respond to questions and concerns. Patients with small social networks had a greater need for information than others with larger social network. Another important thing was that patients could easily get in touch with competent personnel both before surgery and after discharge. The conclusion of the result was that the information should be individualized based on each patient's needs. Continued research is needed to develop good patient information on patients' experience of different types of information means, and to develop contact with patients who have previously done a coronary artery bypass.</p>

<p>Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become a useful tool in monitoring the heart in patients during open-heart surgery. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether it is feasible to use TEE to assess left ventricular myocardial viability in anesthetized patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).</p><p>A total of 84 patients were studied. To test myocardial viability, TEE and a low-dose dobutamine stress regimen were used. Echocardiographic data were analyzed off-line using a visual or semiautomatic analysis of segmental left ventricular wall motion (LVWM). Visual assessment was performed by readers blinded to the sequence of events. The agreement between readers in visual analysis of segmental LVWM in the transgastric short-axis view was 73% or higher. Segmental LVWM assessed by TEE was compared to hemodynamic data obtained by thermodilution pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) and coronary angiographic data. Also, using the same low-dose dobutamine stress regimen, TEE findings in the anesthetized patient perioperatively were compared with preoperative transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) findings in the awake patient.</p><p>TEE was found to be feasible and adequate for testing left segmental ventricular viability. A concomitant increase in stroke volume assessed by PAC and decrease in LVWM-score assessed by TEE was found with dobutamine stimulation. Abnormal segmental LVWM corresponded to angiographically stenosed supplying coronary artery vessels. During dobutamine stimulation, 69% of the corresponding segments responded which is a sign of viability. The LVWM response to preoperative TTE and perioperative TEE dobutamine stress was comparable except for a significant difference in the apical segments.</p><p>This study showed that perioperative TEE dobutamine stress could be used to test left ventricular viability and was also a valuable supplement to PAC, angiography and TTE. The acquired knowledge is important and suggest that further development of transesophageal ultrasound technology is warranted.</p>

This thesis describes the management of patients treated with mechanical circulatory support devices for short- or long-term use. Twenty-four patients suffering from postcardiotomy heart failure were treated with a minimally invasive axial flow pump. The device was effective in unloading the failing left ventricle and in maintaining an adequate systemic circulation. The principles of perioperative monitoring, and pharmacological therapy are outlined. The pump was also used as an alternative to the heart-lung machine in conjunction with coronary artery bypass surgery. Together with a short-acting β-blocker, esmolol, the heart was decompressed and heart motion was reduced, facilitating bypass surgery on the beating heart. The anesthesiological considerations using this method are described. An implantable left ventricular assist device was used as a bridge to heart transplantation in 10 patients. We were interested in assessing the possibility to establish such a treatment program at a non-transplanting center. A multidisciplinary approach was enabled thanks to the organization of our Heart Center and due the close collaboration with our transplant center at Lund University. As one of the first centers in Europe, we established a well-functioning program with good results. Nine out of 10 of the bridge patients, with treatment times varying between 53 to 873 days, survived pump treatment and were eventually transplanted. The device proved to be powerful enough to support the failing heart and enable rehabilitation of the patients. Outpatient management became simpler when using the electrical device with belt-worn batteries. The uncertain durability and the high risk of device-related complications are shortcomings that limit its potential for more permanent treatment of heart failure. A new generation of small implantable axial blood flow pumps has therefore been developed. The principles of these pumps are based on the first generation axial flow pumps evaluated in this thesis. After several years of basic research and experimental studies, the first human implants have been performed. In the thesis, the hemodynamic effects of such a novel axial flow pump have been evaluated in an acute heart failure model. This technology holds great promise, both as a bridge to heart transplantation, and as a permanent circulatory support system. / On the day of the public defence the status of the article IV was: Submitted for publication.

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has become a useful tool in monitoring the heart in patients during open-heart surgery. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether it is feasible to use TEE to assess left ventricular myocardial viability in anesthetized patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). A total of 84 patients were studied. To test myocardial viability, TEE and a low-dose dobutamine stress regimen were used. Echocardiographic data were analyzed off-line using a visual or semiautomatic analysis of segmental left ventricular wall motion (LVWM). Visual assessment was performed by readers blinded to the sequence of events. The agreement between readers in visual analysis of segmental LVWM in the transgastric short-axis view was 73% or higher. Segmental LVWM assessed by TEE was compared to hemodynamic data obtained by thermodilution pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) and coronary angiographic data. Also, using the same low-dose dobutamine stress regimen, TEE findings in the anesthetized patient perioperatively were compared with preoperative transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) findings in the awake patient. TEE was found to be feasible and adequate for testing left segmental ventricular viability. A concomitant increase in stroke volume assessed by PAC and decrease in LVWM-score assessed by TEE was found with dobutamine stimulation. Abnormal segmental LVWM corresponded to angiographically stenosed supplying coronary artery vessels. During dobutamine stimulation, 69% of the corresponding segments responded which is a sign of viability. The LVWM response to preoperative TTE and perioperative TEE dobutamine stress was comparable except for a significant difference in the apical segments. This study showed that perioperative TEE dobutamine stress could be used to test left ventricular viability and was also a valuable supplement to PAC, angiography and TTE. The acquired knowledge is important and suggest that further development of transesophageal ultrasound technology is warranted.