title: Clinical and socio-demographic predictors of postoperative vital exhaustion in patients after cardiac surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vital exhaustion, a psychological state characterized by extreme fatigue, is an independent predictor of future cardiac events. However, the attributes of vital exhaustion following coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery are poorly understood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study objective was to assess correlates of vital exhaustion following CABG surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a descriptive, exploratory study, 42 patients who had CABG surgery were evaluated for exhaustion 4-8 weeks post-hospital discharge. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from self-report and medical chart review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the total sample (mean age 67.9 ± 12.5, 90% male, 70% Caucasian, 3.12 ± 1.3 grafts), approximately 41% reported exhaustion. When compared to their exhausted post-CABG counterpart, non-exhausted post-CABG patients had a significantly higher frequency of preoperative insulin use. Exhausted patients were significantly more likely to have higher left ventricular ejection fraction ([LVEF], OR: 1.07, p = 0.04), and elevated hemoglobin (OR: 2.98, p = 0.03) and eosinophils (OR: 1.02, p = 0.02) than those who were not exhausted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinicians should evaluate all patients for exhaustion post-CABG surgery; patients with elevated LVEF, hemoglobin, and eosinophil levels warrant increased scrutiny.
authors: School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143-0606, USA. pamela.miller@ucsf.edu
authors: Pamela S
authors: PS
authors: Miller
authors: Lorraine S
authors: LS
authors: Evangelista
authors: Joyce Newman
authors: JN
authors: Giger
authors: Kathleen
authors: K
authors: Dracup
authors: Lynn V
authors: LV
authors: Doering
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D003710:Demography; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008501:Medical Records, Problem-Oriented; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013318:Stroke Volume; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology