Demonstrating responsiveness of the pediatric cardiac quality of life inventory in children and adolescents undergoing arrhythmia ablation, heart transplantation, and valve surgery.

PURPOSE: Pediatric Cardiac Quality of Life Inventory (PCQLI) is a disease-specific pediatric cardiac health-related quality of life (HRQOL) instrument that is reliable, valid, and generalizable. We aim to demonstrate PCQLI responsiveness in children undergoing arrhythmia ablation, heart transplantation, and valve surgery before and after cardiac intervention. METHODS: Pediatric cardiac patients 8-18 years of age from 11 centers undergoing arrhythmia ablation, heart transplantation, or valve surgery were enrolled. Patient and parent-proxy PCQLI Total, Disease Impact and Psychosocial Impact subscale scores were assessed pre- and 3-12 months follow-up. Patient clinical status was assessed by a clinician post-procedure and dichotomized into markedly improved/improved and no change/worse/much worse. Paired t-tests examined change over time. RESULTS: We included 195 patient/parent-proxies: 12.6 ± 3.0 years of age; median follow-up time 6.7 (IQR = 5.3-8.2) months; procedural groups - 79 (41%) ablation, 28 (14%) heart transplantation, 88 (45%) valve surgery; clinical status - 164 (84%) markedly improved/improved, 31 (16%) no change/worse/much worse. PCQLI patient and parent-proxies Total scores increased (p ≤ 0.013) in each intervention group. All PCQLI scores were higher (p < 0.001) in the markedly improved/improved group and there were no clinically significant differences in the PCQLI scores in the no difference/worse/much worse group. CONCLUSION: The PCQLI is responsive in the pediatric cardiac population. Patients with improved clinical status and their parent-proxies reported increased HRQOL after the procedure. Patients with no improvement in clinical status and their parent-proxies reported no change in HRQOL. PCQLI may be used as a patient-reported outcome measure for longitudinal follow-up and interventional trials to assess HRQOL impact from patient and parent-proxy perspectives.

It is important to have quality of life (QOL) measures that are sensitive to change in QOL before and after procedures and to be sensitive to change over time. The Pediatric Cardiac Quality of Life Inventory (PCQLI) is a QOL measure specifically developed for children with cardiac disease. This study assessed the responsiveness of the PCQLI to detect change in QOL over time. QOL in Children and adolescents who were being treated for abnormal heart rhythms, heart transplantation, and aortic, pulmonary, or mitral valve surgery were assessed before and after their procedure. Children and adolescents with improved clinical status post-procedure, and their parents, reported better QOL after the procedure. Patients with no improvement from a cardiac standpoint and their parents reported no change in QOL after their procedure. The PCQLI may be used to assess QOL before and after cardiac procedures or medical treatment and follow QOL over time.

Psychological assessment of patients on the heart transplant waiting list: A single center experience.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the data of the psychological assessment, focusing attention on the quality of life and the psychological status of patients who are listed for heart transplant. METHODS: All heart failure patients listed for heart transplant at the Cardiac Surgery Unit of Bari University, Italy, were evaluated from September to November 2023, by administering the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) and the Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36). RESULTS: Overall, 27 patients were studied. Mean age was 60 years, 88% were males. One third of the patients showed a clinically significant overall mental distress. The symptoms leading to domains such as somatization (55.55%), anxiety (40.74%) and depression (33.33%) were frequently observed. The majority of the population studied (96.30%) showed low levels of perceived physical health status, while 59,62% of them presented levels of perceived physical health status below normal ranges. CONCLUSIONS: Heart transplant candidates show elements of overall mental distress and low quality of life related to physical health status.

Calidad de Vida relacionada con salud en personas trasplantadas de corazón: Una revisión / Health-Related Quality of Life in Heart Transplant Recipients: A Review

El trasplante de órganos es una alternativa terapéutica para pacientes que cursan una insuficiencia terminal de ese órgano producto de una enfermedad crónica o aguda. En tal contexto, la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud es un concepto multidimensional importante para evaluar los beneficios del trasplante. OBJETIVO: Identificar los cambios en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud que experimentan los pacientes trasplantados de corazón. Método: Revisión sistemática de estudios transversales, prospectivos y cualitativos publicados en inglés desde enero 2020 a diciembre 2022 en Cochrane Library, Medline, OVID, PubMed y Web of Science, en concordancia con las guías PRISMA. Resultados: Se identificaron 43 artículos, 21 de corte transversal, 10 prospectivos y 12 de índole cualitativa además de incluir información sobre la etapa previa al trasplante. Se comprueba un significativo cambio favorable en la mayor parte de los parámetros de calidad de vida, los que incluso se muestran persistentes después de 20 años. CONCLUSIONES: El trasplante de corazón representa una exitosa alternativa terapéutica que no sólo prolonga la vida sino que permite lograr una adecuada calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. El apoyo familiar y social son elementos cruciales que impactan el ajuste y la calidad de vida durante el proceso pre y postrasplante.

BACKGROUND: Organ transplantation is a therapeutic alternative for patients with end-stage organ failure resulting from chronic or acute disease. In this context, health-related quality of life is an important multidimensional concept to evaluate the benefits of transplantation. Objective: To identify changes in health-related quality of life experienced by heart transplant patients. METHODS: Systematic review of cross-sectional, prospective, qualitative studies published in English from January 2020 to December 2022 in Cochrane Library, Medline, OVID, PubMed, and Web of Science, following PRISMA guidelines. Results: We identified forty-three articles, 21 cross-sectional, 10 prospective, and 12 qualitative, in addition to including information on the pre-transplant stage. A significant favorable change in most quality-of-life parameters is verified, which is persistent even after 20 years. Conclusions: Heart transplantation represents a successful therapeutic alternative that not only prolongs life but also makes it possible to achieve an adequate health-related quality of life. Family and social support are crucial elements that impact adjustment and quality of life during the pre- and post-transplant process.

Prospective single-centre clinical observational study on electronically monitored medication non-adherence, its psychosocial risk factors and lifestyle behaviours after heart transplantation: a study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: In heart transplant recipients (HTRs), non-adherence (NA) to immunosuppressive (IS) medication and to recommended lifestyle behaviours are a common phenomenon and associated with higher risk of allograft rejection, organ loss and mortality. Risk factors for NA are highly diverse and still insufficiently researched. Precise measures of NA and an accurate understanding of its aetiology are of undisputable importance to detect patients at risk and intervene accordingly. The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy and concordance of different measures for NA as well as to determine potential risk factors. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is a single-centre prospective observational trial. HTRs who are at least aged 18 are no less than 6 months post-transplant and receive tacrolimus (Prograf or Advagraf), cyclosporine (Sandimmun) or everolimus (Certican) as their prescribed IS medication are eligible for participation. We only include patients during the phase of medication implementation. At study enrolment, we assess depression, health-related quality of life, self-efficacy, social support, attachment, experiences and attitudes towards IS medication, emotional responses after transplantation, satisfaction with information about IS medication and perceptions and beliefs about medications. We further ask patients to rate their lifestyle behaviours concerning alcohol, smoking, diet, physical activity, sun protection and appointment keeping via questionnaires. Three different measurement methods for NA are applied at T0: self-reports, physician's estimates and IS trough levels. NA is monitored prospectively using an electronic multicompartment pillbox (MEMS, VAICA) over a 3-month period. Meanwhile, participants receive phone calls every second week to obtain additional self-reports, resulting in a total of seven measurement points. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by the Clinical Ethics Committee of the University Hospital Erlangen (Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nürnberg). Written informed consent is attained from all participants. The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: DRKS00020496.

Level of Life Quality in Heart and Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the researchers was to determine the level of life quality among heart and kidney transplant recipients depending on the time and type of the transplant. METHODS: The study was conducted using standardized questionnaires: the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey, Life Orientation Test-Revised, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The study included 146 recipients (109 heart transplant recipients and 37 kidney transplant recipients) from 1 to 26 years after the transplantation surgery (mean 9 years). RESULTS: The mean age of the study group was 52 years. The mean time since organ transplantation was 10 years for heart transplantation and 4.3 years for kidney transplantation. The study group obtained a slightly lower score for quality of life compared to the general population. In the Physical Component Summary (PCS), the study participants obtained the highest mean for the domain bodily pain (47.6), while the lowest score was in the domain role physical (41.82). As for the Mental Component Summary (MCS), the highest mean was obtained for the domain vitality (50.57), whereas the lowest one was for the domain role emotional (43.38). In 33% of the participants, risk of depression was identified. Statistically significant differences were observed depending on the type of the transplanted organ in the PCS for the domains general health, physical functioning, and bodily pain and the MCS for role emotional and social functioning. The statistically significant predictors for the PCS domain were the type of transplanted organ, recipients' age, and occurrence of anxiety. In turn, the predictor for the MCS was the occurrence of depression. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life (QOL) assessment varies between kidney and heart transplant recipients. The QOL is determined by the recipients' age and the occurrence of anxiety and depression. The obtained QOL assessment results are slightly lower than those in the general population.

Manifestations of health anxiety in patients with heart transplant.

BACKGROUND: Health anxiety is an important component of psychological adjustment to chronic medical conditions. However, it has been overlooked after heart transplantation. OBJECTIVES: To examine demographic, clinical, and psychological correlates of health anxiety in heart transplanted patients and to compare health anxiety between patients and a sample of matched controls from the general population. METHODS: The study design was observational. Seventy-three cardiac recipients and 73 controls completed the Illness Attitude Scales and the Symptom Questionnaire. Patients' clinical parameters were collected. RESULTS: Health anxiety was significantly associated with clinical variables suggesting a worse outcome, especially a higher NYHA class and occurrence of cancer. Compared to controls, patients had significantly more "hypochondriacal responses" (32.9% vs. 16.4%), an index of clinically significant health anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Health anxiety affects a significant subset of heart transplanted patients and deserves a thorough assessment. Cardiologists' and nurses' specific communication skills and psychological treatment strategies may be necessary.

Oral health-related quality of life of patients after heart transplantation and those with heart failure is associated with general health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients after heart transplantation (HTx) and those with heart failure (HF). METHODS: In total, 186 participants (HTx: 104, HF: 82) were recruited from the University Department for Cardiac Surgery, Leipzig Heart Centre, Germany. OHRQoL was assessed with the German short form of the oral health impact profile (OHIP-G14). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was evaluated using the short form 36 survey (SF-36). Furthermore, the dental and periodontal treatment need was recorded. RESULTS: With an OHIP-G14 sum score of 6.58 ± 6.40 [5; 2.5-8] in the HTx group and 5.54 ± 5.47 [5; 2-7] in the HF group, no clinically relevant or statistically significant difference was apparent (p = 0.39). The SF-36 scales for physical functioning, role-physical, general health and vitality were significantly worse in the HF group compared with the HTx group (pi < 0.01). A worse SF-36 physical component summary was significantly associated with a higher OHIP-G14 sum score (HTx: p < 0.01, HF: p = 0.04). In the HTx group, a significant association was also observed for the mental component summary (p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis revealed physical component summary (p = 0.04) and mental component summary (p < 0.01) in HTx, and physical component summary (p = 0.02), mental component summary (p = 0.02) and smoking (p < 0.01) as significant predictors for OHIP G14 in HF. CONCLUSION: The OHRQoL in HF and HTx patients appears to be mainly associated with general HRQoL. Therefore, multidisciplinary dental care concepts may be recommended to improve oral health conditions in these patients.

The Psychosocial Assessment of Transplant Candidates: Inter-Rater Reliability and Predictive Value of the Italian Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment for Transplantation (SIPAT).

BACKGROUND: The Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment for Transplantation (SIPAT) is a comprehensive instrument developed to accurately assess the main pretransplant psychosocial risk factors that may impact transplant outcomes. OBJECTIVE: As neither established assessment procedures nor standardized tools designed to perform pretransplant psychosocial evaluation are currently available in Italy, the present study was designed to develop and preliminarily validate the Italian version of the SIPAT. METHODS: First, our team developed the Italian version of the SIPAT, following standard forward-back translation procedures. Then, the Italian version of the SIPAT was retrospectively and blindly applied to 118 randomly selected transplant cases (40 heart, 40 lung, and 38 liver) by 2 independent examiners. Information about the patients' final transplant listing recommendation (i.e., listing vs. deferral) was independently collected from the respective transplant teams. RESULTS: The inter-rater reliability of the Italian version of the SIPAT scores was substantial (Cohen's kappa = 0.77; P < 0.001). Moreover, the predictive value of the SIPAT ratings on the final transplant listing recommendation (i.e., listing vs. deferral) for each examiner was significant (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Current findings suggest that SIPAT is a promising and reliable instrument in its Italian version. Given these excellent psychometric characteristics, the use of the SIPAT as part of the pretransplant psychosocial evaluation in Italian medical settings is highly encouraged.

Translation, adaptation, and reliability of the Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment for Transplantation in the Spanish population.

BACKGROUND: Psychosocial risk factors influence the course of transplantation. Psychosocial evaluation is an important part of pre-transplantation evaluation processes, yet there are no standardized instruments in Spanish. OBJECTIVE: To translate, adapt, and test the reliability of the Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment for Transplantation (SIPAT) in organ and cell transplantation patients in the Spanish context. METHOD: A Spanish version was developed and adapted using WHO's guidelines. The first 30 candidates' SIPAT interviews were recorded and scored by four independent examiners to test the inter-rater reliability. The internal consistency of the SIPAT items was calculated with a sample of 150 heart, liver, and allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant candidates. Evaluations were conducted by SIPAT-trained and transplantation-experienced clinical psychologists and psychiatrists. RESULTS: Stanford Integrated Psychosocial Assessment for Transplantation achieved excellent intra-class correlation reliability coefficients between investigators (ICC = 0.93 for the general score and from 0.77 to 0.94 for domain scores). Good internal consistency was found with Cronbach's alpha of 0.84 (from 0.69-0.71 for domains). DISCUSSION: This study presents the translated and adapted version of SIPAT. It has been found to have strong inter-rater reliability and good internal consistency. Further research is needed to confirm reliability (eg, test-retest) and establish its validity (eg, concurrent, predictive).

The international prevalence and variability of nonadherence to the nonpharmacologic treatment regimen after heart transplantation: Findings from the cross-sectional BRIGHT study.

INTRODUCTION: Heart transplant (HTx) recipients need to follow a complex therapeutic regimen. We assessed the international prevalence and variability in nonadherence to six nonpharmacologic treatment components (physical activity, sun protection, diet, alcohol use, nonsmoking, and outpatient follow-up visits). METHODS: We used self-report data of 1397 adult HTx recipients from the 36-HTx-center, 11-country, 4-continent, cross-sectional BRIGHT study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01608477). The nonadherence definitions used were as follows: Physical activity: <3 times/wk 20 minutes' vigorous activity, <5 times/wk 30 minutes' moderate activity, or <5 times/wk a combination of either intensity; Sun protection: not "always" applying any sun protection; Diet: not "often" or "always" following recommended diet(s); Alcohol use: >1 alcoholic drink/d (women) or >2 drinks/d (men); Smoking: current smokers or stopped <1 year before; Follow-up visits: missing ≥1 of the last 5 outpatient follow-up visits. Overall prevalence figures were adjusted to avoid over- or underrepresentation of countries. Between-country variability was assessed within each treatment component via chi-square testing. RESULTS: The adjusted study-wide nonadherence prevalence figures were as follows: 47.8% for physical activity (95% CI [45.2-50.5]), 39.9% for sun protection (95% CI [37.3-42.5]), 38.2% for diet recommendations (95% CI [35.1-41.3]), 22.9% for alcohol consumption (95% CI [20.8-25.1]), 7.4% for smoking cessation (95% CI [6.1-8.7]), and 5.7% for follow-up visits (95% CI [4.6-6.9]). Significant variability was observed between countries in all treatment components except follow-up visits. CONCLUSION: Nonadherence to the post-HTx nonpharmacologic treatment regimen is prevalent and shows significant variability internationally, suggesting a need for tailored adherence-enhancing interventions.

The effect of clinical variables on distress and depressive symptoms among heart transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Heart transplantation (HTx) is the standard treatment for end-stage cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease. Although major improvements have been made in the prevention and treatment of acute graft rejection, comorbidities still limit the long-term survival of heart transplant recipients. The risk of poor outcome, such us major health status aggravation and death, can stimulate the occurrence of depression and stress in this population. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of comorbidities on depressive symptoms and distress among heart transplant recipients. MATERIAL/METHODS: The sample included 131 HTx recipients from one site. Data were collected during a follow-up in-hospital appointment, using the questionnaires assessing depression (Beck Depression Inventory Short Form) and stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, t-tests, and generalized linear models. RESULTS: Study patients were 75.6% (n = 97) male, 100% (n = 131) Caucasian, 74% (n = 89) married, with the mean age of 54 years at time of heart transplantation. Nearly half of the participants (40.5%) presented depression symptoms at the time of evaluation. Severe stress was observed in 30% of individuals. Depression symptoms and severe distress were more commonly observed in patients with many comorbidities, requiring multiple drug therapy, and high NYHA score. Moreover, in a multivariate logistic regression, depression and high distress level occurrence were predicted by the following independent factors: cardiac allograft vasculopathy, cancer, diabetes, higher NYHA score, and comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of depression and severe distress is common among heart transplant recipients. Patients with many comorbidities are at higher risk of psychological indisposition.

Association between quality of life and prognosis of candidate patients for heart transplantation: a cross-sectional study / Associação entre qualidade de vida e prognóstico de pacientes candidatos ao transplante cardíaco: estudo transversal / Asociación entre calidad de vida y pronóstico de pacientes candidatos al trasplante cardíaco: estudio transversal

ABSTRACT Objective: to verify the association between the prognostic scores and the quality of life of candidates for heart transplantation. Method: a descriptive cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 32 outpatients applying to heart transplantation. The prognosis was rated by the Heart Failure Survival Score (HFSS) and the Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM); and the quality of life by the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). The Pearson correlation test was applied. Results: the correlations found between general quality of life scores and prognostic scores were (HFSS/MLHFQ r = 0.21), (SHFM/MLHFQ r = 0.09), (HFSS/KCCQ r = -0.02), (SHFM/KCCQ r = -0.20). Conclusion: the weak correlation between the prognostic and quality of life scores suggests a lack of association between the measures, i.e., worse prognosis does not mean worse quality of life and the same statement is true in the opposite direction.

RESUMO Objetivo: verificar a associação entre os escores de prognóstico e a qualidade de vida de pacientes candidatos ao Transplante Cardíaco. Método: estudo transversal descritivo, com amostra de conveniência formada por 32 pacientes ambulatoriais candidatos ao transplante cardíaco. O prognóstico foi classificado pelo Heart Failure Survival Score (HFSS) e pelo Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM); e a qualidade de vida pelo Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) e pelo Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). Aplicou-se o teste de correlação de Pearson. Resultados: as correlações encontradas entre os escores gerais dos instrumentos de qualidade de vida e os escores de prognósticos foram (HFSS/MLHFQ r = 0,21), (SHFM/MLHFQ r = 0,09), (HFSS/KCCQ r = -0,02), (SHFM/KCCQ r = -0,20). Conclusão: a correlação fraca entre os escores de prognóstico e de qualidade de vida sugere a não associação entre as medidas, ou seja, pior prognóstico não significa pior qualidade de vida e o mesmo ocorre no sentido inverso.

RESUMEN Objetivo: verificar la asociación entre los puntajes del pronóstico y la calidad de vida de pacientes candidatos al Trasplante Cardíaco. Método: estudio transversal descriptivo, con una muestra de conveniencia formada por 32 pacientes de ambulatorios candidatos al trasplante cardíaco. El pronóstico fue clasificado por el Heart Failure Survival Score (HFSS) y por el Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM) y la calidad de vida por el Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) y por el Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). Se aplicó el test de correlación de Pearson. Resultados: las correlaciones encontradas entre los puntajes generales de los instrumentos de calidad de vida y los puntajes de pronósticos fueron (HFSS/MLHFQ r = 0,21), (SHFM/MLHFQ r = 0,09), (HFSS/KCCQ r = -0,02), (SHFM/KCCQ r = -0,20). Conclusión: la correlación débil entre los puntajes de pronóstico y de calidad de vida sugiere la no asociación entre las medidas, o sea, peor pronóstico no significa peor calidad de vida y el mismo ocurre en el sentido inverso.

Assistência de enfermagem ambulatorial: percepção de transplantados cardíacos sobre a consulta de enfermagem ambulatorial / Atención ambulatoria de enfermería: percepción de los trasplantados cardiacos acerca de la consulta de enfermería ambulatoria / Outpatient nursing care: perception of the heart transplant patients onoutpatient nursing consultation

Objetivo: conhecer a percepção de transplantados cardíacos em relação à consulta de enfermagem em um ambulatório na Unidade de Transplante e Insuficiência Cardíaca (UTIC). Método: Estudo descritivo, de abordagem qualitativa, realizado na UTIC de um hospital público, localizado em Fortaleza, Ceará, de julho a novembro de 2013, com 11 pacientes transplantados cardíacos. Os discursos foram obtidos por meio da entrevista teóricos da hermenêutica. Resultados: Os pacientes revelaram o impacto sofrido pelo transplante cardíaco e satisfação no acolhimento pelos profissionais, em especial a enfermeira. Expressaram o reconhecimento das orientações prestadas, das modificações estabelecidas nesse processo e do vínculo entre enfermeira-paciente. Conclusão: Os transplantados cardíacos compreenderam que a enfermeira age de forma humanizada, acolhedora, cria vínculos e promove o autocuidado, a fim de garantir melhorias na saúde, por meio da consulta de enfermagem ambulatorial.

Objective: this study aimed to know the perception of cardiac transplanted in relation to nursing consultation at a clinic in Transplant and Heart Failure Unit (UTIC). Method: Descriptive study of qualitative approach, conducted in UTIC of a public hospital, located in Fortaleza, Ceará, from July to November 2013, with 11 heart transplant patients. The discourses were collected through a semi structured interview and organized according to the theoretical principles of hermeneutics. Results: Patients showed the impact suffered by the heart transplant and satisfaction in welcoming the professionals, especially the nurse. Were expressed the recognition of the provided guidelines, the changes set out in this process and the relations between nurses and patients. Conclusion: The heart transplant understood that the nurse acts humanized, warmly, creates relations and promotes your own care to ensure improvements in health, through the outpatient nursing consultation.

Objetivo: el trabajo tuvo como objetivo conocer la percepción de pacientes trasplantados de corazón en relación a la consulta de enfermería en un Ambulatorio en la Unidad de Trasplante y Insuficiencia Cardíaca (UTIC). Método: Estudio descriptivo, con un abordaje cualitativo, realizado en la UTIC de un hospital público, localizado en Fortaleza, Ceará, de julio a noviembre de 2013, con 11 pacientes trasplantados cardíacos. Los discursos fueron obtenidos a través de una entrevista semi estructurada y organizados según los fundamentos teóricos de La hermenéutica. Resultados: Los pacientes mostraron el impacto sufrido por el trasplante de corazón y la satisfacción de la bien venidade lós profesionales, especialmente a la enfermera. Expresaron reconocimiento de las directrices, de los cambios establecidos en el proceso y de la relación entre la enfermera y el paciente. Conclusión: El trasplantado de corazón entiende quela enfermera actúa de una manera humana, con gusto, CREA vínculos y promueve el auto cuidado para garantizar mejoras en la salud, a través de la consulta ambulatoria de enfermería.

Quality of Life, Depression, Anxiety and Coping Strategies after Heart Transplantation.

INTRODUCTION:: Heart transplantation is the therapeutic procedure indicated to increase the survival of patients with refractory heart failure. Improvement in overall functioning and quality of life are expected factors in the postoperative period. OBJECTIVE:: To identify and evaluate mental disorders and symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, quality of life and coping strategies in the post-surgical situation of heart transplantation. METHODS:: A cross-sectional, quantitative study with patients who have undergone heart transplantation. Participants answered to the Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Escala Modos de Enfrentamento de Problemas (Ways of Coping Scale) (EMEP) and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). For data analysis, the significance level was considered P≤0.05. RESULTS:: A total of 33 patients participated in the study. The BDI-II results indicated that 91% (n=30) of the patients presented a minimal level. In BAI, 94% (n=31) of the patients demonstrated minimal level of anxiety symptoms. WHOQOL-BREF showed a perception of quality of life considered good in all domains. The EMEP data have registered a problem-focused coping strategy. According to MINI, a single case of major depressive episode, current and recurrent was recorded. CONCLUSION:: Although most participants in the sample had symptoms of depression and anxiety, only one patient was identified with moderate symptoms in both domains. The most used strategy was coping focused on the problem. Patients have classified the perceptions of quality of life as 'good', pointing out satisfaction with their health.

Quality of life, depression, anxiety and coping strategies after heart transplantation

Abstract Introduction: Heart transplantation is the therapeutic procedure indicated to increase the survival of patients with refractory heart failure. Improvement in overall functioning and quality of life are expected factors in the postoperative period. Objective: To identify and evaluate mental disorders and symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, quality of life and coping strategies in the post-surgical situation of heart transplantation. Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative study with patients who have undergone heart transplantation. Participants answered to the Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Escala Modos de Enfrentamento de Problemas (Ways of Coping Scale) (EMEP) and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). For data analysis, the significance level was considered P≤0.05. Results: A total of 33 patients participated in the study. The BDI-II results indicated that 91% (n=30) of the patients presented a minimal level. In BAI, 94% (n=31) of the patients demonstrated minimal level of anxiety symptoms. WHOQOL-BREF showed a perception of quality of life considered good in all domains. The EMEP data have registered a problem-focused coping strategy. According to MINI, a single case of major depressive episode, current and recurrent was recorded. Conclusion: Although most participants in the sample had symptoms of depression and anxiety, only one patient was identified with moderate symptoms in both domains. The most used strategy was coping focused on the problem. Patients have classified the perceptions of quality of life as 'good', pointing out satisfaction with their health.

Cuidado clínico de enfermagem fundamentado em Parse: contribuição no processo de transcendência de transplantados cardíacos / Cuidado clínico de enfermería fundamentado en Parse: contribución en el proceso de trascendencia trasplantados cardíacos / Clinical care of nursing reasoned in Parse: contribution in the transcendence process of cardiac transplantation

RESUMO Objetivo Identificar como os cuidados clínicos e educativos de enfermagem, fundamentados na Teoria Human Becoming, contribuem para o processo de transcendência das pessoas transplantadas cardíacas na busca do bem viver. Método Pesquisa-intervenção desenvolvida com quatro transplantados cardíacos vinculados a um Hospital de referência em transplantes do Ceará. Dados coletados em 2014, mediante entrevistas, analisados pelo referencial teórico de Parse e literatura pertinente. Resultados Os significados de viver como transplantado cardíaco revelaram ambiguidade, mostrando satisfação e insatisfação. Restrições alimentares, dificuldades com a medicação e curiosidade acerca do transplante foram apontadas como desarmonias que envolvem o processo. Visando a mobilização da transcendência, foi desenvolvido um cuidado educativo com os temas alimentação saudável, rejeição do órgão, uso de imunossupressores e curiosidades sobre o transplante cardíaco. Conclusão O cuidado educativo, fundamentado em Parse, favorece a tomada de decisão e a autonomia dos sujeitos diante de sua saúde, contribuindo para a transcendência na busca do bem viver.

RESUMEN Objetivo Identificar cómo los cuidados clínicos y educativos de enfermería, fundamentados en la Teoría Human Becoming, contribuyen para el proceso de trascendencia de las personas trasplantadas cardíacas en búsqueda del bien vivir. Método Investigación de intervención desarrollada con cuatro trasplantados de corazón vinculados a un hospital de referencia en trasplantes de Ceará. Los datos recogidos en el año de 2014 a través de entrevistas, analizaron el marco teórico de Parse y su literatura. Resultados El significado de la vida como trasplantado de corazón reveló ambigüedad, que muestra la satisfacción y la insatisfacción. Restricciones en la dieta, las dificultades con la medicación y la curiosidad por el trasplante fueron identificados como desarmonías relacionadas con el proceso. Objetivando la movilización de la trascendencia, se desarrolló atención educativa con temas sanos de alimentación, el rechazo del órgano, el uso de inmunosupresores y curiosidades sobre el trasplante de corazón. Conclusión Cuidado educativo, sobre la base de Parse, favorece la toma de decisiones y la autonomía de las personas delante de su salud, lo que contribuye a la trascendencia en búsqueda del bien vivir.

ABSTRACT Objetivo To identify how the clinical and educational nursing care based on the Theory of Human Becoming can contribute to the transcendence process of heart transplant patients in pursuit of good living. Method Research-intervention developed with four heart transplant patients linked to a reference transplant hospital in Ceara. Data was collected through interviews in 2014 and analyzed using Parse's theoretical framework and pertinent literature. Resultados Transplant patients revealed they gave living in such condition an ambiguous meaning, showing satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Dietary restrictions, difficulties with medication and curiosity about the transplant were identified as disharmonies involving the process. Care was developed focused on educating the transplant patients, approaching the themes healthy eating, organ rejection, immunosuppressant use and facts about heart transplantation. Conclusion Educative care based on Parse favors the decision-making and autonomy of individuals regarding their health, contributing to transcendence in pursuit of good living.

Quality of Life According to Urgency Status in De Novo Heart Transplant Recipients.

INTRODUCTION: Elective heart transplantation (HTX) aims to improve physical ability, increase survival, and improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with chronic heart failure. Nevertheless, most patients who undergo urgent HTX are previously healthy, and a transplant could be perceived as a limitation. The aim of this study is to compare HRQoL between elective and urgent heart transplant recipients. METHODS: Cohort study including patients undergoing heart transplantation between January 1998 and March 2012 in a single center. Patients with retransplantation or multiorgan transplantation were excluded. Clinical variables including comorbidities were collected. For assessment of HRQoL, the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) was completed by the survivors on March 2013. Univariate analysis (Mann-Whitney U test) was performed. RESULTS: Questionnaires were collected from 95 of 106 elective recipients and 28 of 33 urgent recipients. Urgent heart recipients were younger, with more cardiovascular risk factors, and ischemic etiology was the leading cause of transplant. All domain results were higher in elective heart transplant recipients, but after univariate analysis only the punctuation of the self-efficacy domain remained superior in the elective HTX group (87.5 vs 79.7, P = .034). CONCLUSION: Both urgent and elective heart transplant patients reported a good HRQoL, and there were no significant differences between their scores.

A New Quantitative Approach to Assessing Noncompliance With Medical Recommendations in Heart Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Failure of compliance with medical regimen is one of the major risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality in heart transplant (HT) recipients. Nevertheless, to date, there is no specific, gold-standard, comprehensive set of tools for assessing compliance in these patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to develop a specific instrument for the assessment of noncompliance with medical recommendations in HT recipients. METHODS: This prospective observational study used a nonprobability sampling method, which was performed from January 2006 to December 2012. All of the patients met clinical criteria for being included on the waiting list for a HT. We designed a scale for measuring the compliance degree at 12 months after heart transplantation. This scale included the most important aspects of the medical regimen, using nine discrete quantitative variables. The total score was described as the patient's Noncompliance Factor (NCF). The results were analysed by mean, ranks, and percentages. RESULTS: The sample was constituted of 61 participants who underwent surgical HT intervention and completed the 12-month follow-up assessment. The overall incidence of noncompliance was around 30% and only 43.1% of the recipients had an acceptable degree of compliance. CONCLUSIONS: The overall incidence of noncompliance in HT recipients is high and this can generate worse clinical outcomes. Evaluation by specific screening instruments like the one proposed in the present study can be useful for a systematic detection of this phenomenon.

Role of Personal Resources in Depression and Stress in Heart Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Heart transplantation is the primary option for heart failure treatment and increases the survival rate and the quality of life for recipients. However, this surgical intervention induces numerous psychological problems, such as depression and anxiety. Protective factors and personal recourses are a significant force behind healthy adjustment to life stresses. The aim of this study was to assess the role of personal recourses in terms of depression and stress in heart transplant recipients. METHODS: The study involved a sample of 131 post-heart transplant patients. Standardized instruments were used to measure the key constructs: Beck Depression Inventory Short Form for prevalence of depression, Perceived Stress Scale for prevalence distress, and Sense of Coherence (SOC-29), Life Orientation Test, and General Self-Efficacy Scale for measuring personal resources. RESULTS: We found that sense of coherence, optimism, and self-efficacy proved to be significant predictors for the prevalence of both depression and stress. CONCLUSIONS: These result suggest that the assessment of coping strategies and sense of coherence in heart transplant recipients requires exploration. Evaluating coping strategies and sense of coherence before surgery seems significant and begins with developing skills in this domain.