Complications in the Postoperative Period of Cardiac Surgery – A Scoping Review (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases continue to be the main cause of death in Portugal. People undergoing heart surgery face a high risk of developing postoperative complications, with a significant impact on their quality of life. Nurses play a key role in this context, directly contributing to achieving health gains with interventions designed to control and prevent complications. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to identify complications associated with the postoperative period of cardiac surgery and map nursing interventions aimed at their prevention or control. Methodology: As a research question: "What are the complications associated with the postoperative period of cardiac surgery and the associated nursing interventions?" This was a review with a similar approach to the Scoping Review in which five scientific studies were analyzed using the acronym PCC. The studies were selected from the CINAHL Complete and MEDLINE Complete databases, among articles published between 2020 and 2023. Results: The selected articles identify complications and discuss interventions (autonomous and interdependent), promoting practices to be applied in clinical reality. The surgeries most referenced in the articles include myocardial revascularization, replacement of the mitral valve, aortic valve, and tricuspid valve, and correction of thoracic aortic aneurysm. We identified pain, ventilation, sleep, infection, and heart rate as focuses of nursing. Interventions such as the use of night eye masks, bupivacaine infiltration, and breathing exercises can have significant benefits for users. Conclusion: The studies highlight the importance of nursing practice. Considering the specific characteristics of users undergoing cardiac surgery, we understand that the nursing process and its interventions can improve quality of life, with individualized care aimed at the person as a whole.