Critical care nursing clinics of North America
-
Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am · Dec 1996
ReviewComplications of intra-aortic balloon pumping. Preventable or not preventable?
This article summarized the most common and most serious complications associated with the use of the intra-aortic balloon pump, while at the same time focuses on guidelines for prevention. Complications associated with intra-aortic balloon pump use potentially threaten the outcome of the patient. Although risk factors play a role in the development of complications, many are preventable through early detection and intervention. It is important that the critical care nurses have an awareness of the potential complications of intra-aortic balloon pumping as early detection and rapid intervention will serve to decrease the incidence of the more serious and devastating complications associated with the use of the intra-aortic balloon pump.
-
Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am · Dec 1996
Review Case ReportsManagement of the intraaortic balloon pump patient. Pharmacologic considerations.
This article reviews the common pharmacologic agents used in conjunction with the IABP for treatment of LV failure. The complex interaction between the IABP and pharmacologic agents must be carefully monitored to optimize outcome in this critically ill patient group. ⋯ By using these early indicators of hemodynamics, early information can be given to the physician and intervention can be implemented on a timely basis. Early and appropriate intervention can improve outcome in many patients and may ultimately reduce costs.
-
Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am · Dec 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialBalloons, beds, and breakdown. Effects of low-air loss therapy on the development of pressure ulcers in cardiovascular surgical patients with intra-aortic balloon pump support.
There is limited research related to pressure ulcers in the ICU patient population and even less has focused on patients who have undergone cardiovascular surgery and IABP support. The objective of this article was to determine the incidence of pressure ulcers in the postoperative CVS patient with IABP support and to determine if LAL therapy was more effective in the prevention of pressure ulcers in this patient population. In a quasiexperimental design, a convenience sample of 36 adults was used. ⋯ Patients who developed pressure ulcers were generally older, had a history of cerebrovascular disease, renal insufficiency, a higher APACHE II score, and Braden score of 9 on POD 1. In addition, these patients generally had a lower hemoglobin level, higher serum creatinine level, and an altered level of consciousness on POD 1. The results suggest that LAL therapy does make a difference in the prevention of pressure ulcers in the aortocoronary bypass patient with IABP support.
-
Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am · Mar 1996
ReviewProtecting the skin of the elderly patient in the intensive care unit.
This article summarizes the ways in which factors in the ICU setting can affect skin breakdown in the elderly patient. The effects of aging, the presence of underlying chronic factors, and the imposition of critical illness may affect the skin of the elderly patient in ways not experienced in a younger patient population. It is important that ICU nurses recognize the unique differences and challenges in maintaining the skin integrity of the elderly, critically ill patient. Even though not all pressure ulcers in this population will be preventable in the ICU setting, an awareness of special risk factors in the geriatric patient will enable the ICU nurse to maintain the highest level of skin care for the geriatric patient.