Sensations during removal of epicardial pacing wires after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
BACKGROUND
One procedure that is commonly performed after coronary artery bypass graft surgery is removal of epicardial pacing wires (EPWs). Currently, there is a paucity of information regarding the sensations experienced by patients during this procedure.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the sensations commonly reported by patients during EPW removal.


METHODS
A secondary analysis was performed on data sets from 2 previous studies to determine the sensations commonly experienced by patients during EPW removal. The sample consisted of 144 subjects from 2 teaching hospitals.


RESULTS
The most commonly reported sensation during EPW removal was a "mild to moderate pulling" sensation.


CONCLUSIONS
This secondary analysis provides important information regarding the sensations most commonly reported by patients during EPW removal. This sensory information could be incorporated into a psycho-educational information intervention to prepare patients for EPW removal.
Mullin
Marlene H
MH
Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA.
Roschkov
Sylvia
S
Jensen
Louise
L
Moore
Gary
G
Smith
Alisa
A
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D020878:Device Removal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011594:Psychometrics; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014110:Touch