[Contribution to nursing care for patients with mitral valve disease]. / Subsídios para a assistência de enfermagem a pacientes com valvopatia mitral.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to define the profile of patients with mitral valve dysfunction (stenosis and/or insufficiency) who were assisted at the University Outpatients' Clinic, the knowledge that these patients had concerning their disorder and the main difficulties and limitations resulting from it. The necessary data were obtained by interviewing 29 patients from November 1997 to February 1998. An analysis was conducted through the Content Analysis Technique. The results obtained helped to understand the problem under the individual's and his family's viewpoint, which helped to elaborate a nursing care program with an educational focus.