Cardiovascular Nursing Journal

The effect of foot reflexology massage on incisional pain in abdominal and chest surgery patients admitted to intensive care unit

Nayerreh Behroozi

Abstract

Aim. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of foot reflexology massage on incisional pain in thoraco-abdominal surgery patients admitted to surgery intensive care unit.

Background. Although the most commonly used method of pain relief is pharmacologic, the medications prescribed excessively for severe and chronic pain in patients have side effects and non-pharmacological methods of pain relief may be useful.

Method. In this quasi-experimental study, 102 patients within the age range of 25 to 50 years without any other surgical complication, and normal feet which have undergone thoraco-abdomical surgery were enrolled. They were randomly allocated into 3 equal groups: massage group, pseudo-massage group and control group. The pain was measured Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before, right after, 10 minute and 24 hours after the treatment. Other data was extracted from medical records. The information was analyzed by SPSS using appropriate statistical tests.

Findings. According to the findings, there were no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of age sex marital status educational levels underlying diseases and type, duration and severity of the surgery. The pain score was not significantly different between groups before and right after the intervention. However, 10 minutes and 24 hours after the intervention, pain score was lower in the massage group. The use of pharmacological analgesics had also reduced in the massage group.

Conclusion. Foot reflexology was effective on incisional pain after thoraco-abdominal surgery. Nurses can use this intervention to improve patient comfort and decrease pain medications administration in thease patients.

Epidemiologic study of hospitalized cardiovascular patients in Jahrom hospitals in 2012- 2013

Mahdi Karimyar Jahromi

Abstract

Aim. The aim was to describe epidemiologic characteristics of cardiovascular patients admitted to Jahrom hospitals.

Background. Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in most countries including Iran. It is the major cause of disability. Cardiovascular disorders are counted as one ofn the most preventable, noncomunicable illnesses in human.

Method. In this retrospective descriptive study, 2392 medical records of patients admitted to the hospital in 2012-2013 with a primary diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases were studied. Data were obtained from a checklist with two parts, the first part included demographic information and the second part was about different types of heart disease, cardiovascular risk factors, and duration of hospitalization and outcome of the disease. The data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software.

Findings. According to the findings, 53.2% of patients were female, and 46.8% were male. Of the patients, 99% were married and 61.2% were native. The mean age of the sample was 60±12.5 and the majority were in the age range of 42-83 years. The most common cardiovascular disease were angina and hypertension, respectively. Among patients with heart disease, 53.8% died of a sudden heart attack, 5.8% due to cardiac arrhythmias, 5.1% due to congestive heart failure, 3.5% of acute myocardial infarction and 0.5% due to angina. In patients with vascular disease, 8.3% died due to deep vein thrombosis and 2.3% died due to hypertension.

Conclusion. With controlling risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, high blood cholesterol and body weight, it is possible to greatly prevent the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The effect of massage therapy on sleep quality of patients after coronary artery bypass graft operation

Zahra Shafiee

Abstract

Aim. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of massage therapy on sleep quality of patients after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).

Background. Poor sleep quality is common among patients following CABG and has been noticeable for more than 30 years.

Method. In this quasi-experimental study, 72 patients, who had undergone CABG in Isfahan Chamran Hospital were were recruited. The patients were randomly assigned to the two experimental and control groups. The patients of the experimental group received light pressure stroking massage for 20 minutes in four sessions after the surgery. The patients in control group received only the routine care. The patients› sleep quality was measured before and after the intervention with St Mary›s Hospital Sleep Questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, version 18 and descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used for data analysis.

Findings. Mean scores for sleep quality before the intervention in the experimental and control groups were 22.5±3.6 and 22±3.8, respectively, and no statistically significant difference seen between them. After the intervention, there was a statistically significant difference between mean scores for sleep quality of the experimental and control groups (11.8±2.8 vs 15.5±4.7) (P<0.001).

Conclusion. The use of massage therapy can promote sleep quality of patients after CABG and due to low cost and simplicity it can be used as a complement to drug therapy and postoperative interventions implemented in these patients.

The effect of spiritual care based on «GHALBE SALIM» model on spiritual experiences of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery

Minoo Asad zandi

Abstract

Aim. This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effect of spritual care based on «GHALBE SALIM» model on spritual experiences of the patients who have undergone coronaryartery bypass surgery.

Background. Patients undergoing open heart surgery, experience a crisis in their life. Every crisis is considered as a spiritual crisis and creates a unique experience that is rooted in culture and religion. Spiritual intervention which considers the spiritual mutual experience of the therapist and client is called spiritual care based on «GHALBE SALIM» model.

Method. In this clinical trial, 60 patients, candidated for elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery, were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Experimental group received spiritual care based on»GHALBE SALIM» model during hospital stay. The questionnaire Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES) was completed by patients at the time of admission and discharge.

Findings. The level of spritual experiences at the time of hospitalization was not statristically significant between groups. On discharge, after implementing «GHALBE SALIM» model, the level of spritual experiences in experimental group was significantly higher in comparison with control group (P<0.001).

Conclusion. Spiritual care based on «GHALB SALIM» model increases the level of spiritual experiences and could be performed for meeting spiritual needs of patients.

Respecting patient’s privacy in cardiac care units of Tehran›s selected hospitals

Hamideh Sarkhil

Abstract

Aim. The aim of this study was the assessment of respecting the patient’s privacy in cardiac care units.

Background. Increasing number of people with cardiovascular disease calls for increasing the number of Cardiac Care Units (CCU). The invasive and noninvasive procedures in these units can threaten patient’s privacy.

Method. This descriptive analytic study was conducted on 300 patients admitted to cardiac care units of Tehran›s selected hospitals. The patients were selected by convenient sampling method. Data were collected using a questionnaire consisted of two parts, demographics and privacy questionnaire. The data were analyzed by SPSS software.

Findings. Based on the findings, 50.7% of the sample were Female. Mean age was 61.5=+11.95 year. Mean scores for respecting privacy dimensions ranged from 68.86% for physical privacy to 80.27% for social privacy. There was a statistically significant association of respecting patients privacy with age, sex, marital status, education and history of hospitalization.

Conclusion. Patient s privacy was respected in CCUs, but patient’s privacy is not still respected perfectly. CCU managers should pay more attention to this subject.

Hemodynamic changes in response to concentric and eccentric isokinetic contractions and subsequent recovery period

Mahmoodreza Taghizadeh

Abstract

Aim. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of concentric and eccentric isokinetic contractions and subsequent recovery period on the hemodynamic factors in men.

Background. Nowadays, with advances in technology and producing the innovative training equipment, performing different resistance exercise protocols for improving the muscular and cardiovascular function is possible.

Method. In this quasi-experimental study, ten healthy male subjects were volunteered to participate in the study and performed two protocols of Concentric/Concentric (CON/CON) and Eccentric/Eccentric (ECC/ECC) isokinetic contractions (4 sets, 10 repetitions, 60˚/S) including knee flexion and extension with dominant leg, in two separate sessions. Hemodynamic factors were measured before, immediately and 30 min after exercise.

Findings. Statistical analyses of data showed that hemodynamic parameters increased in response to both isokinetic contractions (p<0.001) and decreased following recovery period. Moreover, Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) and Rate Pressure Product (RPP) responses to two types of contractions (CON/CON and ECC/ECC) were significantly different (p<0.05). Regardless of contraction type, the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) increased significantly from 1st set to 4th set though, these changes were not significantly different between two protocols (p>0.05).

Conclusion. Hemodynamic changes in response to CON/CON was higher than ECC/ECC protocol which shows that the acute ECC/ECC is safer than CON/CON protocol.

Triage in Disaster

Seyed Hesam seyedin

Abstract

Aim. The purpose of this paper is to describe different types of primary triage methods that are common and applicable in disaster scene in order to familiarize medical team personnel with these methods.

Background. Disaster occurrence is rising all over the world. Primary assessment, treatment and transfer of victims to the medical centers which are away from the disaster scene is important considerations for first responder teams in response phase of disaster management cycle. In this regard, triage is an efficient tool for mass casualty management for which different strategies have been recommended in various countries.

Method. In this review, published articles from 1995 to August 2013 were searched in Ovid, Science Direct, Google Scholar and PubMed data bases by using the keywords Triage, On-scene and Disaster.

Findings. Based on search strategy, 50 English articles were found. Finally, 6 commonly adults triage methods and 2 pediatric triage methods were chosen to be described in this paper.

Conclusion. Regarding the sudden nature of disaster and creating chaos following them, it is necessary for medical team members to apply the appropriate tools for managing mass casualties in attention to limited resources and the large number of victims. In order to perform proper triage method and reduce the amount of error in this procedure, it is necessary to educate correct practices of applicable triage methods to medical team members, Red Crescent workers and volunteers.

The use of herbal drugs in cardiovascular diseases: A review article

Mohammad Abbasi

Abstract

Aim. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the herbal medicines used for cardiovascular diseases and patient education about these drugs.

Method. This study was a systematic review of herbal medicines used for cardiovascular diseases. Herbal medicines were extracted from databases PubMed, Science Direct, and Highwire (Website of Stanford University) using search keywords Herbal, Hyperlipidemia, Heart failure, Cardiovascular and Hypertension. To describe the effective herbal ingredients, side effects, interactions, and patient education, a nursing book on herbs (Kostka et al, 2005) and the Comprehensive Atlas of Medicinal Plants (Stephen et al, 2004) were used.

Findings. Herbal drugs used for cardiovascular diseases in Iran consist of Antum, Alicom, Diuretic, Olea-crat, Crataegus Microphylla and Cratagus.

Conclusion. Some of cardiovascular diseases can be controlled by herbal drugs. Patient teaching about precaution, interaction and avoidance of arbitrary use of drugs are important.