Impact of continuous care on cardiac function in patients with lung cancer complicated by coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND Despite sharing similar pathogenic factors,cancer and coronary heart disease(CHD)occur in comparable populations at similar ages and possess similar susceptibility factors.Consequently,it is increasingly commonplace for patients to experience the simultaneous occurrence of cancer and CHD,a trend that is steadily rising.AIM To determine the impacts of continuing care on lung cancer patients with CHD following percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).METHODS There were 94 lung cancer patients with CHD following PCI who were randomly assigned to the intervention group(n=38)and the control group(n=41).In the intervention group,continuing care was provided,while in the control group,routine care was provided.An evaluation of cardiac and pulmonary function,medication compliance,a 6-min walk test,and patient quality of life was performed.RESULTS Differences between the two groups were significant in left ventricular ejection fraction,6-min walk test,oxygen uptake,quality of life and medication compliance(P<0.05).In comparison with the control group,the enhancement in the intervention group was more significant.The intervention group had more patients with high medication compliance than the control group,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).CONCLUSION After undergoing PCI,lung patients with CHD could benefit from continued care in terms of cardiac and pulmonary function,medications compliance,and quality of life.

Analysis of the Nursing Effect of Continuity of Care on Elderly Patients with Coronary Heart Disease Unstable Angina and its Impact on Quality of Life

Objective:To analyze the effect of using continuity of care for elderly patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)with unstable angina pectoris(UAP)and its impact on their quality of life.Methods:100 cases of elderly patients with CHD with UAP admitted to our hospital from March 2022 to March 2023 were selected and grouped into an observation group and a control group of 50 cases each according to the randomized number table method.The nursing effect and quality of life of the observation group(continuity nursing)and the control group(routine nursing)were compared.Results:The total effective rate of nursing care was 96.00%observation group and 80.00%for the control group,and the differences were significant(χ2=6.061,P<0.05).Patients in the observation group had fewer episodes(1.42±0.21)times/week and a shorter duration(5.46±0.39)min,which were better than the control group(t=3.465,2.973;P<0.05).The depression self-rating depression scale(SDS)score(42.16±6.64)and anxiety self-rating scale(SAS)score(32.26±7.35)in the observation group were lower and the quality of life was higher as compared to that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Continuous nursing care improved the nursing effect of elderly CHD with UAP patients,promoted the alleviation of UAP symptoms,improved patient mentality,and improved their quality of life.Hence,continuous nursing care possesses significant clinical application value.

Prevalence and Spectrum of Complex Congenital Heart Disease in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at High Altitude in China

Background:Previous studies from high altitudes have reported significantly higher prevalence of congenital heart disease(CHD),consisting almost solely of simple CHD.Little is known about the occurrence of complex CHD.Neonates with complex CHD are likely admitted to NICU.We examined the prevalence and spectrum of complex CHD in NICU in order to depict a truer picture of CHD at high altitude.Methods:We reviewed charts of 4,214 neonates admitted to NICU in Qinghai province(average altitude 3,000 m).Echocardiography was performed in 1,943 babies when CHD was suspected based on clinical examinations.Results:CHD was diagnosed in 1,093(56.3%of echoed babies).Mild CHD in 96.8%(1058 babies).Moderate CHD in 0.8%(9)included 1(0.1%)large secundum atrial septal defect,3(0.3%)moderate pulmonary stenosis,2(0.2%)aortic stenosis and 3(0.3%)partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection.Severe CHD in 2.4%(26)included 6(0.5%)complete atrioventricular septal defect,5(0.5%)complete transposition of the great arteries,5(0.5%)hypoplastic right heart,3(0.3%)hypoplastic left heart,3(0.3%)double outlet right ventricle,3(0.3%)tetralogy of Fallot,2(0.2%)truncus arteriosus,2(0.2%)total anomalous pulmonary venous connection,2(0.2%)severe aortic stenosis,2(0.2%)interrupted aortic arch and 2(0.2%)severe pulmonary stenosis and 1(0.1%)single-ventricle abnormality.At two-years follow-up in 737(67.4%)patients,18(90%)with severe CHD and 38(5.3%)with mild and moderate CHD died,and 15 underwent cardiac surgery with 1 early death.Conclusions:At high altitude,a wide spectrum of CHD exists,with many heretofore unreported complex CHD.There is urgent need for routine echocardiography and early interventions in newborns particularly in NICU.

Psychological needs of parents of children with complicated congenital heart disease after admitting to pediatric intensive care unit: A questionnaire study

BACKGROUND Parents of children with complicated congenital heart disease(CHD)have different needs after surgery.Little literature reports the impact factors for psychological needs of parents of children with complicated CHD.AIM To investigate the status quo of the needs of parents of children after surgery for complex CHD,and analyze the influencing factors,in order to provide a theoretical basis for formulating corresponding nursing countermeasures.METHODS A modified Chinese version of the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory(MCCFNI)was used to select 200 parents of children with complex CHD after surgery within 72 h after admission to the intensive care unit in our hospital to conduct an online questionnaire survey.The aim was to understand the needs of parents in relation to the following five aspects:The support from medical staff,comfort of the parents themselves,the acquisition of information,their closeness to the children,and assurance of the child’s condition.RESULTS Parents of children with complex CHD had a higher degree of demand,especially in terms of condition assurance,acquisition of information,and closeness to the children.The age,education level,and residence of the parents were related to the five dimensions of the needs of parents of children with complex CHD who had undergone surgery.CONCLUSION In practice,nurses should formulate corresponding nursing strategies based on the different cultural and social backgrounds of parents of children after complex CHD surgery to meet their different needs,and improve satisfaction.These findings provide a theoretical basis for constructing a family participatory nursing model for children in the intensive care unit in the future.

Mechanical ventilation and outcomes in COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care unit in a low-resources setting: A retrospective study

Objective:To describe the strategies and outcomes of mechanical ventilation in a poorly equipped facility.Methods:This retrospective descriptive study included patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU)and mechanically ventilated between September 1,2020,and May 31,2021.Data were collected from medical records and databases.Results:54 Patients aged(62.9±13.3)years were included.Among these cases,79.6%had at least one comorbidity.On admission,all patients had hypoxia.The median peripheral oxygen saturation in room air was 76%(61%,83%).Non-invasive ventilation(NIV)was performed in 75.9%of the patients,and invasive mechanical ventilation(IMV)in 68.5%.IMV was performed on patients due to severe coma(8.1%),failure of standard oxygen therapy(27.0%),and failure of NIV(64.9%).An arterial blood gas test was performed in 14.8%of the patients.NIV failed in 90.2%of cases and succeeded in 9.8%.IMV was successful in 5.4%of cases,vs.94.6%of mortality.The overall mortality rate of patients on ventilation in the ICU was 88.9%.The causes of death included severe respiratory distress syndrome(85.2%),multiple organ failure(14.8%),and pulmonary embolism(13.0%).Conclusions:The ventilation management of COVID-19 patients in the ICU with NIV and IMV in a scarce resource setting is associated with a high mortality rate.Shortcomings are identified in ventilation strategies,protocols,and monitoring.Required improvements were also proposed.

Impact of Tobacco Smoking on Health Care Utilization and Medical Costs in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,Coronary Heart Disease and Diabetes

Objective To determine the impact of smoking on disease-specific health care utilization and medical costs in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases(NCDs).Methods Participants were middle-aged and elderly adults with chronic NCDs from a prospective cohort in China.Logistic regressions and linear models were used to assess the relationship between tobacco smoking,health care utilization and medical costs.Results Totally,1020 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD),3144 patients with coronary heart disease(CHD),and 1405 patients with diabetes were included in the analysis.Among patients with COPD,current smokers(β:0.030,95%CI:−0.032-0.092)and former smokers(β:0.072,95%CI:0.014-0.131)had 3.0%and 7.2%higher total medical costs than never smokers.Medical costs of patients who had smoked for 21-40 years(β:0.028,95%CI:−0.038-0.094)and≥41 years(β:0.053,95%CI:−0.004β0.110)were higher than those of never smokers.Patients who smoked≥21 cigarettes(β:0.145,95%CI:0.051-0.239)per day had more inpatient visits than never smokers.The association between smoking and health care utilization and medical costs in people with CHD group was similar to that in people with COPD;however,there were no significant associations in people with diabetes.Conclusion This study reveals that the impact of smoking on health care utilization and medical costs varies among patients with COPD,CHD,and diabetes.Tobacco control might be more effective at reducing the burden of disease for patients with COPD and CHD than for patients with diabetes.

Anemia in patients with high-risk acute coronary syndromes admitted to Intensive Cardiac Care Units

Background Little information exists about the role of anemia in patients with acute coronary syndromes(ACS)admitted to Intensive Cardiac Care Units(ICCU).The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of anemia and its impact on management and outcomes in this clinical setting.Methods All consecutive patients admitted to eight different ICCUs with diagnosis of non-ST segment elevation ACS(NSTEACS)were prospectively included.Anemia was defined as hemoglobin<130 g/L in men and<120 g/L in women.The association between anemia and mortality or readmission at six months was assessed by the Cox regression method.Results A total of 629 patients were included.Mean age was 66.6 years.A total of 197 patients(31.3%)had anemia.Coronary angiography was performed in most patients(96.2%).Patients with anemia were significantly older,with a higher prevalence of comorbidities,poorer left ventricle ejection fraction and higher GRACE score values.Patients with anemia underwent less often coronary angiography,but underwent more often intraaortic counterpulsation,non-invasive mechanical ventilation and renal replacement therapies.Both ICCU and hospital stay were significantly longer in patients with anemia.Both the incidence of mortality(HR=3.36,95%CI:1.43–7.85,P=0.001)and the incidence of mortality/readmission were significantly higher in patients with anemia(HR=2.80,95%CI:2.03–3.86,P=0.001).After adjusting for confounders,the association between anemia and mortality/readmission remained significant(P=0.031).Conclusions Almost one of three NSTEACS patients admitted to ICCU had anemia.Most patients underwent coronary angiography.Anemia was independently associated to poorer outcomes at 6 months.

Nursing care of a patient with programmed cell death protein-1 immunotherapy-related myocarditis combined with coronary heart disease

This report introduced and summarized the nursing care experience for a senior patient with lung cancer and developed programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1)immunotherapy-related myocarditis combined with coronary heart disease(CHD)after receiving said treatment.In this case,immune myocarditis with CHD occurred shortly after implementing the PD-1 immunotherapy,yet the patient presented no clinical symptoms.Frequent nursing attention and close observation are so required for monitoring the patient’s status and updating the physicians for a swift control of the myocarditis.For this case,nursing care procedures vital for the successful recovery of the patient included condition observation,position management,pre-and postcoronary angiography care,infection prevention,hemorrhage prevention,venous access port maintenance,pain care,trachea care,psychological care,diet care,environment management,and health education.After receiving effective,successful treatment and care,the patient was discharged after 13 days of treatment with generally satisfying overall conditions.

Psychosocial Factors Associated with Transfer Anxiety among Open Heart Surgery Patients Transferred from the Intensive Care Unit to the General Ward

Introduction: Patient’s transfer from the intensive care unit (ICU) to the general ward indicates their improving health status. However, the transfer produces anxiety when patients enter an unfamiliar environment with different care protocols and circumstances. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the level of ICU transfer anxiety among open heart surgery patients and determine the psychosocial factors associated with ICU transfer anxiety among open heart surgery patients. Methods: Data were collected in a cardiac center in Kathmandu City, Nepal among 95 open heart surgery patients within 24 hours of their transfer from an ICU to a general ward. The study used four self-reported questionnaires, namely the modified Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale for Adults, modified Brief COPE Inventory, Nurses’ Support Questionnaire, and State Anxiety Inventory. Results: Fifty-two patients (54.7%) had a high level of transfer anxiety. Spearman’s rank correlation showed that uncertainty in illness, coping, and nurses’ support were significantly related to transfer anxiety (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest nurses to address uncertainty in illness of the patients, improve their coping abilities, and provide need-based nursing support to them during the transitional phase. Besides, clinicians and governmental agencies should contribute to implication of transitional guidelines, which can reduce transfer anxiety and promote health and recovery of the patients.

Prognostic Factors for Acute Heart Failure (AHF) in the Cardiology Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the University Hospital Point G (UH Pt G)

Background and Aim: The absence of data in our context motivates this study aiming to determine the frequency of AHF at the ICU, assess the in-hospital evolution of the disease and to find out poor prognosis.Material and Methods: It was an observational and descriptive study covering the time from January 1, 2014 to March 30, 2017 involving all inpatient records in ICU. From January 2014 to December 2017, collected data included those on socio-demographic, history of diseases and physical examination, and some labor dataincluding Pro BNP, serum creatinine, blood ionogram,?cardiac enzymes and blood count. Also data electrocardiography, echocardiography and in-hospital evolution were collected. Statistical Analysis:Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (IBM Inc) version 18. Results: AHF occured in 47.36% with a mean age of 58.74 ± 18.407 and extremes of 17 and 90 years, women representing 53.1% (sex ratio Male:Female = 0.88). Hypertension and diabetes were the predominant cardiovascular risk factors with respectively 67.4% and 18.4%. At admission?44%, 37.7% and 17.9% of patients were respectively hypertensive,?normotensive and hypotensive. The clinical expression was mainly global heart failure with 42.6% followed by left heart failure and right heart failure with respectively 37% and 20.4%. The coronary syndromes (all forms) was the first cause of ICA with 34% of cases followed by pulmonary embolism and hypertension with respectively 25.3% and 24.1%. Mean hospital stay was 5.61 ± 3.527 days (1 to 25 days). Complications were recorded in 18.5% of patients with cardiogenic shock in half of all cases. In multi-variate analysis, only hypotension at admission was shown to be the independent factor of poor prognosis with p = 0.016 and OR = 4.453 (1.322 - 14.996). Conclusion: As a common manifestation heart failure can be rapidly fatal in presence of collapsus or hypotension at admission. These factors should be accurately managed to reduce mortality, which remains high in our context.

Acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease in the intensive care unit

Acute exacerbations of interstitial lung disease(AE-ILD)represent an acute,frequent and often highly morbid event in the disease course of ILD patients.Admission in the intensive care unit(ICU)is very common and the need for mechanical ventilation arises early.While non-invasive ventilation has shown promise in staving off intubation in selected patients,it is unclear whether mechanical ventilation can alter the exacerbation course unless it is a bridge to lung transplantation.Risk stratification using clinical and radiographic findings,and early palliative care involvement,are important in ICU care.In this review,we discuss many of the pathophysiological aspects of AE-ILD and raise the hypothesis that ventilation strategies used in acute respiratory distress syndrome might be implemented in AE-ILD.We present possible decision-making and management algorithms that can be used by the intensivist when caring for these patients.

Predictive risk factors for prolonged stay in intensive care unit in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery

Objective To describe the preoperative factors of prolonged intensive care unit length of stay after coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods From 1997 to 2009, 1318 patients underwent isolated CABG in our hospital. Retrospective analysis was performed on these cases. Univariate and multivariate analyses

Predictive risk factors associated with prolonged stay in the intensive care unit for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery

Objective The rate of post-operative complications has been increased with the changes in patients’age,prolonged duration,more severe and diffused lesions,and more patients with complications in recent years. We try to identify the risk factors associated with prolonged stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) . Methods 1623 patients who received CABG surgery in Beijing Anzhen Hospital

Depression risk in patients with coronary heart disease in Germany

AIM To determine the prevalence of depression and its risk factors among patients with coronary heart disease(CHD) treated in German primary care practices.METHODS Longitudinal data from nationwide general practices in Germany(n = 1072) were analyzed.Individuals initially diagnosed with CHD(2009-2013) were identified,and 59992 patients were included and matched(1:1) to 59992 controls.The primary outcome measure was an initial diagnosis of depression within five years after the index date among patients with and without CHD.Cox proportional hazards models were used to adjust for confounders.RESULTS Mean age was equal to 68.0 years(SD = 11.3).A total of 55.9% of patients were men.After a five-year follow-up,21.8% of the CHD group and 14.2% of the control group were diagnosed with depression(P < 0.001).In the multivariate regression model,CHD was a strong risk factor for developing depression(HR =1.54,95%CI:1.49-1.59,P < 0.001).Prior depressive episodes,dementia,and eight other chronic conditions were associated with a higher risk of developing depression.Interestingly,older patients and women were also more likely to be diagnosed with depression compared with younger patients and men,respectively.CONCLUSION The risk of depression is significantly increased among patients with CHD compared with patients without CHD treated in primary care practices in Germany.CHD patients should be routinely screened for depression to ensure improved treatment and management.

Incremental value of thoracic ultrasound in intensive care units:Indications,uses,and applications

Emergency physicians are required to care for unstable patients with life-threatening conditions, and thus must make decisions that are both quick and precise about unclear clinical situations. There is increasing consensus in favor of using ultrasound as a real-time bedside clinical tool for clinicians in emergency settings alongside the irreplaceable use of historical and physical examinations. B-mode sonography is an old technology that was first proposed for medical applications more than 50 years ago. Its application in the diagnosis of thoracic diseases has always been considered limited, due to the presence of air in the lung and the presence of the bones of the thoracic cage, which prevent the progression of the ultrasound beam. However, the close relationship between air and water in the lungs causes a variety of artifacts on ultrasounds. At the bedside, thoracic ultrasound is based primarily on the analysis of these artifacts, with the aim of improving accuracy and safety in the diagnosis and therapy of the various varieties of pulmonary pathologic diseases which are predominantly "water-rich" or "air-rich". The indications, contraindications, advantages, disadvantages, and techniques of thoracic ultrasound and its related procedures are analyzed in the present review.

Lifestyle changes in coronary heart disease—Effects of cardiac rehabilitation programs with focus on intensity, duration and content—A systematic review

Background: Although coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common cause of death worldwide the literature shows a wide variation in the arrangement of cardiac rehabilitation and achieved lifestyle changes. Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of intensity (number of patient follow-ups), duration (length of intervention) and content in cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRP) regarding lifestyle changes in patients with CHD. Method: A systematic literature review of articles published in the databases PubMed and CINAHL between 1990 and 2007 was conducted. This resulted in 1120 hits of which 25 articles finally met the set criteria for inclusion. Results: The majority of significant positive results on lifestyle factors were shown among the studies describing high intensity and long duration. Included studies showed a wide variation in content, but four different interventions (informative content, educational content, practical content, behavioral and self care-oriented content) emerged. The group of studies which contained all four interventions focused on most lifestyle factors and achieved the most significant positive results. Conclusion: This systematic literature review shows that CRP should include high intensity, long duration and an intervention content covering information, knowledge, practical training, self care-activity and behavior changes in order to achieve effect on all four lifestyle factors of diet, physical activity and exercise, smoking and stress. Lifestyle changes can be reached in less lifestyle factors, with a longer duration and a variation of intensity of contacts but in combining with an informative and educational content with an additional content of a practical nature or self activity.

Relationship between nutritional therapy and beneficial bacteria ratio in severe disease

Objective:To evaluate relationship between changes in the beneficial bacteria in intensive care unit(ICU)patients and nutritional therapy type.Methods:Ten patients aged≥18 years admitted to the ICU between January and December 2020,were included.Good enteral nutrition was defined as early achievement of target calorie intake through enteral feeding.The ratio of beneficial bacteria at the first and second bowel movements after each patient’s admission was calculated and the patients were classified into the increase or decrease group.Among all patients,five each were in the increase and decrease groups.We investigated patient background,changes in sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation(APACHE)Ⅱscores,nutritional doses or methods,and clinical outcomes.Results:No relationship was found between changes in the ratio of beneficial bacteria and changes in SOFA/APACHEⅡscores at the time of admission.The rate of good enteral nutrition was significantly higher in the increase group than in the decrease group(4/5 vs.0/5,P=0.01).Conclusions:An increase in beneficial bacteria may be significantly related to the early establishment of enteral nutrition.In the future,accumulating cases may make it possible to establish a new nutritional strategy for critically ill patients from an intestinal microbiota perspective.

Factors Leading to a Dramatic Fall in Coronary Heart Disease Death Rates in Los Angeles County

This paper provides commentary on some of the factors leading to a dramatic fall in heart disease death rates and the 42-year period (1968-2010) documented on the accompanying table.

The impact of daylight and window views on length of stay among patients with heart disease:A retrospective study in a cardiac intensive care unit

Background:Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.The length of stay(LOS)is a well-established parameter used to evaluate health outcomes among critically ill patients with heart disease in cardiac intensive care units(CICUs).While evidence suggests that the presence of daylight and window views can positively influence patients’LOS,no studies to date have differentiated the impact of daylight from window views on heart disease patients.Also,existing research studies on the impact of daylight and window views have failed to account for key clinical and demographic variables that can impact the benefit of such interventions in CICUs.Methods:This retrospective study investigated the impact of access to daylight vs.window views on CICU patients'LOS.The study CICU is located in a hospital in the southeast United States and has rooms of the same size with different types of access to daylight and window views,including rooms with daylight and window views(with the patient bed located parallel to full-height,south-facing windows),rooms with daylight and no window views(with the patient bed located perpendicular to the windows),and windowless rooms.Data from electronic health records(EHRs)for the time-period September 2015 to September 2019(n=2936)were analyzed to investigate the impact of room type on patients’CICU LOS.Linear regression models were developed for the outcome of interest,controlling for potential confounding variables.Results:Ultimately,2319 patients were finally included in the study analysis.Findings indicated that patients receiving mechanical ventilation in rooms with access to daylight and window views had shorter LOS durations(16.8 h)than those in windowless rooms.Sensitivity analysis for a subset of patients with LOS≤3 days revealed that parallel bed placement to the windows and providing access to both daylight and window views significantly reduced their LOS compared to windowless rooms in the unit(P=0.007).Also,parallel bed placement to the window significantly reduced LOS in this patient subset for those with an experience of delirium(P=0.019),dementia(P=0.008),anxiety history(P=0.009),obesity(P=0.003),and those receiving palliative care(P=0.006)or mechanical ventilation(P=0.033).Conclusions:Findings from this study could help architects make design decisions and determine optimal CICU room layouts.Identifying the patients who benefit most from direct access to daylight and window views may also help CICU stakeholders with patient assignments and hospital training programs.

High-intensity interval training for health benefits and care of cardiac diseases——The key to an efficient exercise protocol

Aerobic capacity, which is expressed as peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), is well-known to be an independent predictor of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular prognosis. This is true even for people with various coronary risk factors and cardiovascular diseases. Although exercise training is the best method to improve VO2peak, the guidelines of most academic societies recommend 150 or 75 min of moderate- or vigorous- intensity physical activities, respectively, every week to gain health benefits. For general health and primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been recognized as an efficient exercise protocol with short exercise sessions. Given the availability of the numerous HIIT protocols, which can be classified into aerobic HIIT and anaerobic HIIT [usually called sprint interval training (SIT)], professionals in health-related fields, including primary physicians and cardiologists, may find it confusing when trying to select an appropriate protocol for their patients. This review describes the classifications of aerobic HIIT and SIT, and their differences in terms of effects, target subjects, adaptability, working mechanisms, and safety. Understanding the HIIT protocols and adopting the correct type for each subject would lead to better improvements in VO2peak with higher adherence and less risk.