Caring for women undergoing cardiac ablation.
Radiofrequency cardiac ablation (RFCA) has become the treatment of choice for many cardiac arrhythmias that have not responded to medication. Complications of cardiac ablation include bleeding, thrombosis, pericardial tamponade, and stroke. Many complications are procedure specific, and several complications can be avoided with appropriate nursing care. Quality patient outcomes begin with competent nursing care. Therefore it is vital for a patient undergoing a percutaneous cardiac ablation procedure to receive supportive care and pre- and post-interventional patient education. This article discusses the nursing care of women undergoing RFCA.
Keegan
Beryl
B
Department of Nursing, Medical Careers Institute, School of Health Science, ECPI College of Technology, Newport News, VA, USA. bphelpskeegan@cox.net
D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000628:therapy*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012737:Sex Factors