RESUMO
Since the report of the first case from China in late 2019, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread very rapidly through the countries and regions leaving a trail of devastation in its path, everywhere. Although COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory illness mainly affecting the lungs; involvement of other organs including the cardiovascular system has been widely recognized. Whilst COVID-19 is an acute illness for a majority of cases; some of the debilitating virus-related symptoms can last for weeks and months, and are collectively termed as long COVID syndrome. Several published reports have described an association between acute COVID-19 illness and cardiac complications such as myocarditis and Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. However, little is known about any link between long COVID syndrome and the cardiac disease. We describe the case of a middle-aged woman with long COVID syndrome who presented with central chest pain and breathlessness. Her initial investigations showed an elevated cardiac troponin I and ischemic changes on 12 lead ECG. She was initially treated for non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. A subsequent coronary angiogram showed unobstructed coronary vessels and left ventricle (LV) gram demonstrated apical LV ballooning. She was managed conservatively and was discharged home following her clinical improvement. This case highlights the importance of holistic assessment of patients presenting with chest pain with the background of long COVID syndrome. It also outlines an emergent need to better understand pathophysiological mechanisms that underpin the development of cardiac complications in those with COVID-19 and long COVID syndrome.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Assessing and improving patient self-efficacy are among the major roles of nurses. Nurses are also responsible for providing direct patient care, and they play a major role in improving patient care quality. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate nurses' care-giving behaviors. This study aimed to determine the association between caring behaviors and self-efficacy in patients with cardiovascular disease. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 400 patients with cardiovascular disease who were admitted to hospitals in Jahrom, southern Iran, were selected through a stratified sampling. The Caring Behaviors Inventory and the Strategies Used by People to Promote Health questionnaires were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Spearman correlation coefficient in SPSS ver. 22. RESULTS: Results showed significant relationships between perception of caring behaviors and self-efficacy (r=0.16, P=0.001) as well as subscales of respectful deference to others (r=0.12, P=0.01), assurance of human presence (r=0.12, P=0.02), and positive connectedness (r=0.18, P=0.001). Additionally, among the subscales of caring behaviors, "attentive to others' experience," with a mean of 5.17±1.10, was the highest priority and "positive connectedness," with a mean of 4.81±1.31, was the lowest priority for patients. The mean self-efficacy score was 73.94±29.78, and 169 patients (43.2%) had low self-efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Given the positive relationship between perception of caring behaviors and self-efficacy in patients with cardiovascular disease, self-efficacy could be improved by paying more attention to patient care priorities and improving patient perception of caring behaviors.
