Medications and associated symptoms/problems after coronary artery bypass surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this secondary analysis was to describe medication use and examine the relationship between medications and postoperative symptoms/problems in the first 3 months after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS).


METHODS
The sample consisted of older (≥65 years) men and women (n = 232) who had undergone CABS. Medication data were collected through self-report 3 and 6 weeks and 3 months after surgery.


RESULTS
Most patients reported taking aspirin (88.2%-85.7%), statins or cholesterol-lowering drugs (88.6%-87%), and beta-blockers (68%-55.6%). No significant differences were found between the proportion of patients taking and not taking beta-blockers, antiarrhythmics, cholesterol-lowering drugs, or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor medications for common medication-specific symptoms/problems.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients experience symptoms after surgery, but these symptoms did not seem to be side effects from medications. Nursing assessments and interventions targeting postoperative symptoms, symptom management, and medication side effects can enhance recovery and reinforce medication adherence.
Schulz
Paula
P
UNMC College of Nursing-Lincoln Division, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0220, USA. pschulz@unmc.edu
Lottman
Donna J
DJ
Barkmeier
Travis L
TL
Zimmerman
Lani
L
Barnason
Sue
S
Hertzog
Melody
M
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D013223:Statistics as Topic
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D001241:Aspirin