Uncertainties of the Heart: Palliative Care and Adult Heart Failure
Home Healthcare Nurse, January 2013What is the state of the science on the use of palliative care for community-dwelling adult patients with heart failure? A review of the scientific literature reveals that palliative care is underused by heart failure patients and there is a large unmet care need for patients and their family caregivers.
Postoperative Anxiety and Depression in Patients Undergoing Thoracoscopic Closure of Congenital Heart Defects
Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, December 2012The aims of this study were to compare psychological symptoms between patients treated with thoracoscopy and those treated with conventional open heart surgery and to evaluate the effect of perioperative counseling on postoperative psychological symptoms.
Assessment of Commonly Available Education Materials in Heart Failure Clinics
Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, December 2012Approximately 90 million Americans have limited health literacy and read at the fifth grade level or lower. In this article, the authors sought to determine the suitability and readability level of common cardiovascular patient education materials related to heart failure and heart-healthy lifestyle.
Understanding the Heart-Brain Link
Nursing2012 Critical Care, January 2013 This article explores the link between cardiac dysrhythmias and various neurologic disorders and injuries including trauma, ischemic stroke, and intracranial hemorrhage. Increased awareness and closer monitoring of dysrhythmias can help you assure that your patient gets appropriate care.
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: Nursing A Broken Heart
Nursing2012, December 2012Extreme traumatizing events and stressful situations really can cause a broken heart: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, a rare but reversible form of cardiomyopathy. This article discusses the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment.