Analysis of Complaints from Patients During Mechanical Ventilation After Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Study.
OBJECTIVE
This study analyzed major complaints from patients during mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery and identified the most common complaints to reduce adverse psychologic responses.


METHODS
Retrospective.


METHODS
A single tertiary university hospital.


METHODS
Patients with heart disease who were on mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery (N = 800).


METHODS
The major complaints of the patients during mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery were analyzed.


RESULTS
Patients' comfort was evaluated using a visual analog scale, and the factors affecting comfort were analyzed. The average visual analog scale score in all patients was 5.8±2.0, and most patients presented moderate discomfort. The factors affecting comfort included dry mouth, thirst, tracheal intubation, aspiration of sputum, communication barriers, limited mobility, fear/anxiety, patient-ventilator dyssynchrony, and poor environmental conditions. Of these factors, 8 were independent predictors of the visual analog scale score. Patients considered mechanical ventilation to be the worst part of their hospitalization.


CONCLUSIONS
The study identified 8 independent factors causing discomfort in patients during mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery. Clinicians should take appropriate measures and implement nursing interventions to reduce suffering, physical and psychologic trauma, and adverse psychologic responses and to promote recovery.
Department of Heart Vascular Surgery, Yan'An Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China.
Yi
Y
Wang
Department of Heart Vascular Surgery, Yan'An Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China.
Hua
H
Li
Department of Heart Vascular Surgery, Yan'An Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China.
Honglin
H
Zou
Department of Heart Vascular Surgery, Yan'An Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. Electronic address: medsciwany@126.com.
Yaxiong
Y
Li
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000639:trends; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
ICU; cardiac surgery; comfort; ventilator