Title : Cardiovascular thoracic rehabilitation and secondary prevention
Abstract:
Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention plays an important role after Cardiovascular and
Thoracic Surgeries. After Cardiovascular and Thoracic surgeries we provide care protocols guided
meticulous care which helps in recovery of patients. During Rehabilitation strict monitoring of patients
hemodynamics and proper physiotherapy, nutritional support are ensured. Daily counselling done which
helps to motivate the patient. On post-operative day or following day as the patient is hemodynamically
stable, patient is extubated and intercostal drainage removed if no significant drainage and no air leak
in VATS/ Thoracotomy patients and patient made to sit in bed orally liquids given followed by soft
diet in evening. Patients are usually discharged on 3rd and for low LVEF, ACUTE MI on 4th pod if no
contraindication. Simultaneously daily counselling of relatives regarding progress of patient is done and
they are educated for to take care of patient at home. Once discharge plan is finalized they are given
instructions about patient care, diet and physical activity for next one week and patient is asked to visit
in follow up after 1 week. After 1 week patient is followed up in OPD with relevant investigations (CXR,
ECG, ELECTROLYTES, RFT, RBS) done and patient is given follow up instructions for 1 month. Patient
and relatives are also counselled for about control of risk factors for secondary prevention and followed
up every 3 months for next year and subsequently every six months if patient is doing well. Lipid profile
is monitored six monthly and for diabetic patients Hba1c 3 monthly. Any re-admissions or unscheduled
consultations are strictly recorded and fresh onset of symptoms or any abnormal investigation reports are
taken care of.
Conclusion: Proper rehabilitation helps in early recovery and return to work whereas secondary prevention
slows down progression of diseases and recurrent complications.
Audience Take Away Notes
• Benefits of guideline directed nursing protocols for comprehensive management of patients undergoing
cardiovascular and thoracic surgeries provide care
• This knowledge will help the audience in taking care of patients rehabilitation and secondary prevention
