Nursing actions in the management of pain related to the use of a patient-controlled analgesia pump during the postoperative period of cardiac surgery / Atuação da enfermagem no gerenciamento da dor relacionada ao uso da bomba de analgesia controlada pelo paciente durante o pósoperatório de cirurgia cardíaca

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Acute postoperative pain affects more than 80.0% of patients and approximately 75.0% of cases are described as moderate to severe. Effective pain relief after cardiac surgery has assumed an important role with the introduction of fast track protocols, requiring better monitoring and patient education for its effectiveness. The present study's objective was to verify if nurses have been playing an active role during pain management, so that this brings positive impacts to the patient in pain control. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive study with a quantitative approach, with data extracted and collected from the digital platform Research Electronic Data Capture in March 2020, referring to data entered in the period between October 2018 and October 2019, totaling 326 patients in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery who used the electronic patient-controlled analgesia pump (PCA) model CADD-Legacy PCA. RESULTS: Predominantly male subjects (73.9%), with a mean age of 59.9±14.9 years. Among the characteristics of the PCA pump, intravenous infusion (98.8%) and bolus/PCA mode (98.5%) stood out. There was adequate monitoring of vital signs in compliance in 96.6% of cases, guidance by the nurse at the time of PCA pump installation in 85.9% and pain control after suspension of the PCA pump in 94.2%. With those who had pain controlled after the end of therapy, there was a predominance of pain control in 95% of patients (p=0.11). CONCLUSION: The results show that well-established protocols, adequate monitoring, and the correct orientation of the patient regarding the use of the device, bring positive impacts after suspension of PCA.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dor aguda pós-operatória acomete mais de 80% dos pacientes e, aproximadamente, em 75% dos casos, é descrita como moderada a intensa. O alívio efetivo da dor após cirurgia cardíaca assumiu um papel importante com a introdução de protocolos de via rápida, necessitando de melhor monitoramento e educação do paciente para sua efetividade. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se o enfermeiro vem desempenhando um papel ativo durante o gerenciamento da dor, de forma que isso traga impactos positivos ao paciente no controle álgico. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, descritivo e de abordagem quantitativa, com dados coletados da plataforma digital Research Electronic Data Capture em março de 2020, referente aos dados inseridos no período entre outubro de 2018 e outubro de 2019, totalizando 326 pacientes em pós-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca que utilizaram bomba de infusão eletrônica modelo CADD-Legacy ACP. RESULTADOS: A média de idade foi de 59,9±14,9 anos (n=326), com um público predominantemente do sexo masculino (73,9%). Dentre as características de bomba de analgesia controlada pelo paciente (ACP), destacaram-se via de infusão endovenosa (98,8%) e modo bolus/ACP (98,5%). Houve monitorização adequada de sinais vitais em conformidade em 96,6% dos casos, orientação feita pelo enfermeiro no momento da instalação da bomba de ACP em 85,9% e controle da dor após suspensão da bomba de ACP em 94,2%. Com aqueles que tiveram dor controlada após término da terapia, observou-se predominância do controle álgico em 95% dos pacientes (p=0,11). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados mostraram que protocolos bem estabelecidos, monitoramento adequado e orientação correta do paciente quanto ao uso do dispositivo trazem impactos positivos após suspensão da ACP.

It's Never Too Late: Spotting Congenital Absence of the Pericardium in an Older Adult.

A 75-year-old male with a cardiopulmonary history presented with chest pain and dyspnea. He was hypertensive. An electrocardiogram showed paced rhythm. A high-sensitivity test showed his troponin T level was minimally elevated. Coronary angiography results were unremarkable. Chest radiography revealed an elevated cardiac apex, previously attributed to cardiomegaly. Echocardiography revealed a teardrop shaped heart in a nonstandard apical window. Computed tomography confirmed congenital absence of the left pericardium. Challenges of recognizing a rare condition are highlighted. Congenital absence of the pericardium, an often benign but rarely catastrophic condition, can masquerade for decades before diagnosis, underlining the importance of clinical vigilance in evaluating common cardiac complaints.

Un homme de 75 ans qui avait des antécédents cardiopulmonaires a éprouvé une douleur thoracique et accusé une dyspnée. Il souffrait d'hypertension. Un électrocardiogramme a montré un rythme électro-entraîné. Le dosage de la troponine T hautement sensible a révélé des concentrations minimalement élevées. Les résultats de l'angiographie coronarienne étaient normaux. La radiographie pulmonaire a révélé un apex du cœur élevé, antérieurement attribué à la cardiomégalie. L'échocardiographie a révélé un cœur en forme de larme dans une fenêtre apicale non standard. La tomodensitométrie a permis de confirmer l'absence congénitale du péricarde gauche. Nous présentons les enjeux liés à l'identification d'une maladie rare. Puisque l'absence congénitale du péricarde, une anomalie souvent bénigne, mais rarement catastrophique, peut demeurer dissimulée durant des décennies avant le diagnostic, nous soulignons l'importance de la vigilance clinique dans l'évaluation des symptômes cardiaques courants.

The clock drawing test, mortality, incident cardiovascular events and dementia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine the association of the clock drawing test (CDT) with incident dementia, cardiovascular events and mortality in very elderly hypertensive patients. METHOD: All participants were hypertensive and aged 80 years and over. The CDT was administered at baseline and annually thereafter. Data on incident cardiovascular, fatal events and dementia were collected over follow-up. RESULTS: There were 3845 participants recruited and followed up for a mean of 2.1 years. Of these, 2701 completed a CDT with 2259 available at baseline. Of this group, 6.6% had a cardiovascular event, 6.1% died, and 10% were diagnosed with dementia. There was no relationship between baseline CDT score and subsequent cardiovascular events or mortality. For incident dementia, the hazard ratio was 0.88 (95% confidence intervals 0.83-0.94) suggesting that better performance on the baseline CDT was associated with a lower risk of dementia. CONCLUSION: These results provide tentative support for the CDT alongside other cognitive screening tools in a hypertensive elderly population.

Increased pulse pressure linked to dementia: further results from the Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial - HYVET.

OBJECTIVES: High blood pressure (BP) has been associated with increased risk of dementia. Concerns have been raised about lowering BP too far in the very elderly and thereby increasing risk. There is some evidence to suggest a potential 'J'-shaped relationship between DBP and risk of cognitive impairment. This was investigated using data from the HYpertension in the Very Elderly Trial (HYVET). METHODS: HYVET was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of antihypertensives in patients aged at least 80 years with an untreated SBP of 160-199 mmHg. Active medication was indapamide sustained release 1.5 mg+/- perindopril 2-4 mg to reach goal pressure of less than 150/80 mmHg. Incident dementia was a secondary endpoint and was not significantly different between the two treatment groups. The relationship between pressure and incident dementia was assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression with BP entered as either a discrete (quartile analysis) or continuous predictor variable. Achieved BP was calculated as the mean of all pressures from the 9 month visit onwards. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 2.2 years 263 incident cases of dementia were diagnosed. After adjustment for various covariates, baseline DBP was inversely related to incident dementia (P=0.0064). Achieved DBP did not predict later dementia in the placebo group (P=0.43), but showed a U-shaped relationship in the active treatment group (P=0.0195). The relationship between incident dementia and DBP did however not differ significantly between the placebo and active treatment groups (P=0.38). SBP was not associated with incident dementia, at baseline (P=0.62) or during follow-up (placebo group P=0.13, active group P=0.36). Wider achieved pulse pressure (PP) was associated with increased risk of dementia in both treatment groups (placebo P=0.032, active P=0.0046). The same tendency was observed for baseline PP (P=0.095). CONCLUSION: Wider PP may possibly indicate an increased risk for dementia. Active treatment may act to change the shape of the relationship between DBP and dementia. Future studies need to focus on exploring the ideal goal pressure for this age group.