effects of discharge plan on stress, anxiety and depression in patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: a randomized controlled trial

Angioplasty is one of the most common methods for treating coronary artery diseases. However, a large number of those undergoing this treatment face psychological problems that negatively affect the quality of their life and recovery. We aimed to determine the effects of discharge planning on stress, anxiety, and depression in patients undergone percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty [PTCA]. In this randomized controlled trial, 80 candidates for PTCA during January to April 2013 were randomly assigned to equal experimental and control groups. The patients in the experimental group participated in two training sessions before and after the procedure and an informative booklet was used for their training. These patients were followed by phone during the two weeks after discharge. The depression anxiety stress scale [DASS-21] was completed by all subjects upon admission, at discharge, and one month after discharge. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 18. t test was used as appropriated. The experimental group showed a statistically significant decrease in their stress, anxiety and depression a month after receiving the planned discharge [P<0.001]. Although scores of stress [P=0.696], anxiety [P=0.110], depression [P=0.073] of the experimental group did not differ significantly on the day of discharge, the decrease was considerable compared with that of the control group. Using a planned discharge program in patients undergoing PTCA lowered their stress, anxiety, and depression

Risk factors of Iranian patients with three vessels disease candidate for coronary artery bypass graft surgery [CABG]

To determine the modifiable risk factors among patient with three vessels disease [3VD] who are candidate for coronary artery bypass graft [CABG] surgery. This study investigated one thousand coronary patient with 3VD [660 males and 340 females] with mean age 54.8 +/- 9.01 years. Information regarding outcome variable such as demographic and coronary risk factors parameters in patients referred to Jamaran Heart Hospital were collected. We used a questionnaire for collecting data from patients and their medical records. About 66% of patients were male and 34% were female. Mean age of patients' were 54.8 +/- 9.01 years. History of diabetes, Hypertension and smoking was positive in 38%, 32% and 40%, respectively. About 11% had BMI >30, 45.6% of patient had O+ [blood group], 87% of patient had total cholesterol >200, 81% had TG >200 and about 70% had LDL>100. There was statistically significant difference between sex with cigarette smoking, HTN, DM [P<0.05] and age with TG [P<0.05]. Results of this study showed that hyperlipidemia, diabetes and smoking are most common modifiable risk factors of CAD in tripple vessel disease. Findings of this study provide more information on the database of the risk factors among patients with progressive coronary artery disease in Iran. Therefore, applying education for changing lifestyle including smoking cessation, controlling diabetes, healthy diet and exercise is necessary

Effects of video information on anxiety, stress and depression of patients undergoing coronary angiography

Anxiety and stress are common in patients undergoing invasive procedures. Coronary angiography is a definitive diagnostic evaluation for coronary artery disease and valvular disease. It is necessary to give information to the patients in order to minimize levels of anxiety and stress to this invasive procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of patients' education by video on levels of anxiety, stress and depression of patients undergoing coronary angiography. In a quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest design, 128 patients were randomly assigned to either control or experimental group. Control group received verbal routine education by nurses and experimental group received an informative video about coronary angiography procedure as well as pre and post angiography interventions. Using Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale [DASS-21] levels of these variables were measured before and after education. Seventy eight [60.9%] males and fifty [39.1%] females participated in the study. There was a statistically significant reduction in the Anxiety, stress and depression levels of experimental group after video information [P= .000]. There was a statistically significant correlation between sex with anxiety [P= .000] and stress [P= .04]. The use of patients' education by informative video is a useful method for decreasing psychological parameters of patients undergoing coronary angiography procedure. Results of the study confirm the usefulness of video information prior to an Invasive angiography procedure

Comparing the effect of firefighting protective clothes and usual work clothes during physical activity on heat strain

Firefighters must use protective clothing to avoid physical, chemical and environmental damages in their works. Firefighting clothing should cause the minimal physiological, mental and organic limitations on the body, beside their protective features. The aim of this study was to compare the firefighting protective clothing and usual work clothing, in terms of their effects on heat strain during physical activity. This is a cross-over study, in which 30 young male were recruited according to inclusion criteria. After choosing the participants, the physical activity was done once by wearing Firefighting protective clothing and again by wearing usual work clothing by random, based on Bruce exercise protocol. Before and after the physical activity, parameters such as Heart rate and Core temperature were measured. The Physiological Strain Index [PSI] was calculated by setting core temperature and heart rate according to Moran's equation. The results show that the Physiological Strain Index [PSI] was 6.15 +/- 1.12 in participants with firefighting protective clothing, while this number was 3.64 +/- 0.81 for usual work clothing. This difference is statistically significant [p<0.001]. These two sets of clothes are different in their effects on Parameters such as Heart Rate, Core temperature and PSI. The obtained values for usual work clothing are better than firefighting protective clothing. Firefighting protective clothing causes higher level of heat stress and lower tolerance time, because the Physiological Strain Index [PSI] and Core temperature for these clothing was observed higher than the usual work clothing. Heat stress resulted in elevated core temperature which reduce tolerance of firefighters and in severe cases cause risk of heat stress

Survey the effect of aerobic exercise on aerobic capacity in patients with coronary artery disease [CAD]

Increased aerobic exercise capacity appears to reduce both all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality. Physical exercise to improve maximal oxygen consumption [VO2max] is thus strongly recommended, however evidence regarding the most efficient training intensity for patients with coronary artery disease [CAD] is still lacking. The purpose of this randomized study was to assess the effects of aerobic exercise for increasing VO2max in stable CAD-patients. Thirty stable CAD-patients were randomized to supervised walking 30 min three times a week for 10 weeks. Before and after training VO2max was predicted from Bruce treadmill test. Before training VO2max was 35.2 +/- 4.32ml/kg/min and after training the mean Vo2max was 43.1 +/- 3.4ml/kg/min. This difference was significant [p<0.05]. Aerobic exercise is effective for increasing VO2max in stable CAD-patients. As VO2max seems to reflect a continuum between health and cardiovascular disease and death, the present data may be useful in designing effective training programmes for improved health in the future