Quality of life of patients with implanted cardiac devices: a transversal study

Objective: Evaluate the quality of life (QL) of patients with implanted cardiac devices and describe the recognition of electromagnetic sources, and symptoms, in the event of failure of the device. Methods: This is a transversal study that used the SF-36 questionnaire and an instrument developed to observe other variables. Results: The research included 56 patients, 58±13 years of age, predominantly male. In relation to QL, scores were: functional capacity = 58±26; pain = 65±32; vitality = 58±26; social aspects = 72±31; mental health = 69±26; physical aspects = 12.5(0-50); emotional aspects = 33(0-100); general health status = 49±25. The majority of the patients (91%) know that the device could suffer from interference. Conclusions: The sample of this study showed low QL scores in physical and emotional aspects, and in general health status. Besides that, patients were aware that the devices could suffer from magnetic interference, but they could not name the main sources of that interference.

Intervenções de enfermagem em pacientes com cardiopatia: métodos e avaliação de eficácia em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca / Nursing interventions in patients with heart disease: methods and evaluation of efficacy in heart failure patients

As doenças cardiovasculares constituem-se atualmente nos maiores agravos à saúde em todo o mundo. O arsenal terapêutico disponível para este subgrupo de pacientes, que inclui tanto o tratamento farmacológico como o não-farmacológico, é complexo e de difícil seguimento estrito. Estratégias que visem melhorar a taxa de adesão de pacientes às prescrições são requeridas e podem contribuir para a redução de desfechos clínicos. Especificamente no cenário de atendimento de pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca, a avaliação, o acompanhamento e a prevenção de fatores precipitantes de descompensação melhoram sintomas e previnem internação. No grupo de Insuficiência Cardíaca e Transplante Cardíaco do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, temos desenvolvido projetos de pesquisa envolvendo ferramentas e estratégias educativas para melhorar o acompanhamento e seguimento deste pacientes conforme as melhores práticas baseadas em evidências. Evidências de eficácia desta intervenção e perspectivas de pesquisa são apresentadas nesta revisão.

Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for a large part of the global burden of diseases. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions aiming the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases are effective but complex and difficult to follow. Strategies to improve the adherence rates to the prescriptions may contribute to the reduction of clinical outcomes. With regard to the care of heart failure patients, prevention and correction of precipitant factors improve symptoms and lower the frequency of hospitalizations. In the unit of heart failure and cardiac transplant at HCPA, we have developed research projects with strategies for education and follow-up of such patients, according to the best evidencebased clinical practice. In this review, we present results of these interventions and the perspectives for the future development of research and care of patients with cardiovascular disease.