The effect of acupressure on pain level and hemodynamic parameters after coronary angiography: a randomized controlled study.

Background: Subsequent to coronary angiography, procedures performed to prevent bleeding may cause pain in the patient. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of acupressure on pain level and hemodynamic parameters in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Method: In this prospective, a two-arm (1:1), randomized controlled trial was conducted, with 124 patients undergoing coronary angiography included. The randomly assigned study group (n = 62) received acupressure on the LI4 (on the dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones), PC6 (three fingers above the wrist), and LI11 (at the lateral end of the transverse cubital crease) points for 15 min 2 h after angiography, while the control group (n = 62) received no acupressure. Data were collected using the visual pain scale (VAS) and hemodynamic parameters [systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2)], monitoring form before, immediately after, and at 10, 20, and 30 min after acupressure. Results: In the study, it was found that patients had moderate pain after coronary angiography (study group: 5.02 ± 2.27; control group: 3.98 ± 1.82). When the groups were compared, it was found that the VAS score of the study group before angiography was significantly higher than that of the control group, but lower than the control group immediately after acupressure, and at 10, 20, and 30 min after acupressure. In addition, it was determined that acupressure was significantly higher in DBP and RR in the study group compared to the control group at 20 and 30 min; it was not effective in terms of SBP, HR, and SpO2 values. Conclusion: The results of the study indicated that patients reported moderate pain after coronary angiography, and that acupressure was effective in reducing the pain level, but affected only the DBP and RR hemodynamic parameters. Since the study was single-centered and followed for a short time, it is recommended to conduct new studies with a longer duration.

The effect of patient empowerment on patient activation level: A review of individuals with cardiovascular diseases.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of patient empowerment on patient activation level in individuals with cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: The population of the study is adult individuals receiving inpatient treatment in the Cardiology clinic of a city hospital operating in Turkey. In the study, convenience sampling method was applied, and a questionnaire was conducted from 543 patients. RESULTS: As a result of the analyses made in the study, positive and low correlations were detected between the patient empowerment scale sub-dimensions and the patient activation level. According to regression analysis results, it was identified that the patient empowerment sub-dimensions together accounted for 6.4% of the total variance on the patient activation level, and the increase in the 'knowledge and understanding' levels of the patients statistically increased their perceptions of the patient activation level. DISCUSSION: The results show that by providing patient empowerment in individuals with chronic diseases, their active participation can be increased in the treatment processes and consequently in the chronic disease management.

Drug Adherence in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation Taking Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Turkey: NOAC-TR.

Adherence to non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) is an important factor for ensuring efficacy and safety in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). There are controversial results regarding NOAC adherence in real-world data and there are no data about NOAC adherence in Turkish population. This study investigated the NOAC adherence based on self-report, factors affecting nonadherence, and the relation of the adherence level with efficacy and safety outcomes. This multicenter cross-sectional study included 2738 patients (59% female) using NOAC (dabigatran, apixaban, and rivaroxaban) due to NVAF for more than 3 months with >30 days of supply between September 1, 2015, and February 28, 2016. To measure the adherence level, an 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale was used. The mean age of the patients was 70 ± 10 years. Of the 2738 patients, 44% were receiving dabigatran, 38% rivaroxaban, and 18% apixaban. A total of 630 (23%) patients had high medication adherence, 712 (26%) moderate adherence, and 1396 (51%) low adherence. Nonadherence had related to stroke (5.6% vs 2.5%, P < .001) and minor (21.2% vs 11.1%, P < .001) and major (6.1% vs 3.7%, P = .004) bleeding rates. The adherence to NOAC was found to be quite low in Turkey. Nonadherence is associated with bleeding and thromboembolic cardiovascular events. Age, taking NOAC twice a day, and the additional noncardiac diseases, depression, and dementia were the independent factors affecting poor medication adherence.

Effect of Atrial Fibrillation on Contrast-Induced Nephropathy Development in Patients With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

We investigated the relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF) and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI); 1045 consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions were enrolled. Risk factors for CIN were investigated. Baseline characteristics, except oral anticoagulant use, were similar between patients with and without AF. Patients with CIN show higher presence of diabetes mellitus (DM), coronary artery bypass graft surgery history, Mehran score, baseline creatinine levels, baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR), peak troponin levels, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and presence of AF ( P < .05). In multivariate logistic regression analyses, the presence of DM (odds ratio [OR], 2.333; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.222-4.457; P = .010), Mehran score (OR, 1.269; 95% CI, 1.152-1.398; P < .001), baseline GFR (OR, 0,954; 95% CI, 0.944-0.964 P < .001), left anterior descending artery originated infarction (OR, 1.594; 95% CI, 1.061-2.398; P = .025), LVEF value (OR, 0.956; 95% CI, 0.926-0.986; P = .005), and the presence of AF (OR, 3.830; 95% CI, 1.239-11.839; P = .020) were independent predictors of CIN. Atrial fibrillation can be related to CIN development in patients with NSTEMI.

Quality of life of patients with atrial septal defect following percutaneous closure.

INTRODUCTION: Quality of life has become an important outcome measure in addition to mortality and morbidity in patients with congenital heart disease. Atrial septal defect is a common congenital heart disease, and transcatheter atrial septal defect closure has become an accepted treatment modality. The aim of this study is to assess the quality of life of patients with atrial septal defect who underwent percutaneous closure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the quality of life of 69 patients with atrial septal defect and 69 healthy controls matched according to age, sex, educational level, and economic, marital, and employment status. Quality of life was investigated using the Turkish version of Short Form-36. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 39.7 ± 14.2 and 26% were male. The quality of life assessment was performed at a mean follow-up time of 18.0 ± 13.8 months after the intervention. The mean scores of the domains of the Short Form-36, namely, physical functioning, role functioning, social functioning, mental health, vitality, pain, and general health, were similar in patients with atrial septal defect who underwent percutaneous closure and the control group. CONCLUSION: Adult patients who underwent percutaneous atrial septal defect closure perceive their quality of life to be as good as their healthy counterparts.

Decline in mean platelet volume in patients with patent foramen ovale undergoing percutaneous closure.

INTRODUCTION: The presence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) is considered a possible cause for cryptogenic stroke. The mechanism underlying the ischaemic neurological events in the presence of PFO has not been firmly established. The purpose of this study was to compare: (1) the mean platelet volume levels in PFO patients with and without a cryptogenic stroke, and (2) pre- and post-procedural mean platelet volumes (MPV) in patients undergoing percutaneous PFO closure. METHODS: Sixteen PFO patients undergoing percutaneous closure to prevent recurrent ischaemic events and 15 asymptomatic patients with PFO were enrolled in the study. Mean platelet volume was compared between patients with and without a history of stroke. We also compared pre- and post-procedural MPV levels in patients undergoing percutaneous PFO closure. RESULTS: Mean platelet volume, which is a marker for platelet activity, was similar in PFO patients with and without stroke (9.34 ± 1.64 vs 9.1 ± 1.34 fl; p = 0.526). Interestingly, MPV decreased significantly after percutaneous closure compared to pre-procedural levels (9.34 ± 1.64 vs 8.3 ± 1.12 fl; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest interatrial communication through a PFO may be related to increased MPV and increased platelet activity.