Educational Intervention for Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Effectiveness of a Nursing Intervention for the Preparation and Follow-up of Patients Undergoing Cardiovascular Surgery. Design and Evaluation of a Nursing Educational Program for the Preparation and Follow-up of Patients Undergoing Cardiovascular Surgery.

Cardiovascular surgery is associated with high levels of anxiety, uncertainty, and postoperative complications. Educational interventions led by nurses may improve patients' psychological adaptation, self-care abilities, and recovery outcomes.

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse-led educational program designed to prepare and support patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Participants are randomly assigned to either an intervention group receiving a structured perioperative educational program or a control group receiving usual care.

The primary outcome is anxiety. Secondary outcomes include posoperative complications, patient satisfaction, pain intensity, length of ICU Stay, length of Hospital Stay, Body Mass Index, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) and total Cholesterol. Participants are followed for six months after surgery.

Patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery frequently experience anxiety and uncertainty before surgery and during postoperative recovery. Adequate preparation and follow-up may improve psychological well-being, promote self-care, and facilitate recovery.

This single-center randomized controlled trial evaluates a nurse-led educational intervention for patients undergoing elective cardiovascular surgery at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona. The intervention includes structured education and follow-up throughout the perioperative period, focusing on preparation for surgery, postoperative recovery, self-care, symptom management, and lifestyle recommendations.

Participants are randomly allocated to either the intervention group or the usual care group. Outcomes are assessed at baseline, during hospitalization, and during follow-up up to six months after surgery.

The primary outcome is anxiety measured using validated assessment instruments. Secondary outcomes include self-efficacy, self-care capacity, health-related quality of life, postoperative complications, hospital readmissions, healthcare utilization, and patient satisfaction.

The study aims to determine whether a structured nurse-led educational program improves psychological, behavioral, and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 18 years or older.
• Patients undergoing first-time cardiac surgery.
• Ability to understand and communicate in Spanish or Catalan.
• Provision of written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Refusal or inability to provide informed consent.
• Previous cardiovascular surgery.
• Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or other percutaneous procedures.
• Cardiogenic shock before surgery requiring sedation and endotracheal intubation.
• Psychiatric disorders requiring treatment, including anxiety disorders, depression, alcoholism, dementia, psychosis, schizophrenia, amnesia, or personality disorders.
• Severe chronic diseases, including cirrhosis, hepatitis B or C, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's disease, severe autoimmune disorders, blindness, or severe hearing impairment.
• Intensive care unit stay longer than 15 days after surgery.
• Death during hospitalization, including perioperative mortality.