Chronic pain and analgesic use in hospitalized elderly / Dor crônica e uso de analgésico em idosos hospitalizados

To evaluate the chronic pain and analgesic use in elderly patients admitted to a teaching hospital. Cross-sectional, observational, non-experimental study with 100 elderly. Instruments for collection of demographic and health data, the Mc Gill evaluation scale and intensity of pain were used. The mean age was 71.1 years (SD + 7.4) and females prevailed in the sample (52%); 78% of the respondents reported severe pain and 68% reported using painkillers. Pain was characterized as sensitive and stabbing (44%), choking (39%), unbearable (40%) and nauseating (49%). The findings of this study indicate a high chronic pain index and point to the need to create multidisciplinary programs of interventions focused on the evaluation and treatment of this symptom among hospitalized elderly.

Avaliar a dor crônica e o uso de analgésicos em idosos internados em um hospital de ensino. Estudo transversal, observacional, não experimental com 100 idosos. Utilizou-se instrumentos de coleta de dados sociodemográficos e de saúde, avaliação da escala de Mc Gill e intensidade da dor. Resultados: observou-se média de idade 71,1 anos (DP+7,4) e prevalência do sexo feminino (52%); 78% relataram dor grave e 68% relataram usar analgésicos. A dor foi caracterizada como sensível e em pontada (44%), sufocante (39%), insuportável (40%) e nauseante (49%). Os achados deste estudo apresentam um alto índice de relato da dor crônica, apontando para a necessidade de criação de programas multiprofissionais de intervenções com foco na avaliação e tratamento desse sintoma entre os idosos hospitalizados.

Trauma por acidentes de trânsito após implantação da LEI Nº. 11.705 - "Lei Seca" / Trauma from traffic accidents after implementation of Law nº. 11.705 - "Dry Law" / Trauma por accidentes de tránsito después de la implementación de la ley nº. 11.705 - "Ley Seca"

OBJETIVO: caracterizar a ocorrência de trauma por acidente de trânsito em um município do estado de Minas Gerais, no período de um ano antes e após a implantação da Lei 11.705 "Lei Seca". MÉTODO: estudo transversal retrospectivo. Foram utilizados os registros de acidentes de trânsito atendidos pelo 8º Batalhão do Corpo de Bombeiros e o Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência. As variáveis foram: idade e sexo, tipo de acidente, dia da semana, horário, local e óbitos. RESULTADOS: ocorreram 5.904 acidentes, sendo 48,2% anteriores à "Lei Seca" e 51,8% posteriores. Foram socorridas 6.581 vítimas com predominância de faixa etária entre 18 e 29 anos e sexo masculino (86,8%). Houve significativa redução do número de óbitos (35,7%), predomínio de acidentes motociclísticos, em ruas e avenidas, aos sábados, entre 17h e 19h59min. CONCLUSÃO: apesar de evidenciar-se pequena elevação no número de acidentes de trânsito após a implantação da "Lei Seca", constatou-se neste estudo importante redução do número de óbitos, o que permite inferir que a lei reduziu a gravidade dos acidentes no município estudado.

Objective: to characterize the occurrence of traffic accident trauma in a municipality in the state of Minas Gerais, a year before and after the implementation of Law 11,705 "Dry Law". Method: Retrospective cross-sectional study. The records of traffic accidents attended by the 8th Battalion of the Fire Department and the Mobile Emergency Response Service were used. The variables were: age and sex, type of accident, the day of the week, time, place, and deaths. Results: There were 5,904 accidents, 48.2% previous to the "Dry Law" and 51.8% later. A total of 6,581 victims were rescued, predominantly aged between 18 and 29 years old and male (86.8%). There was a significant reduction in the number of deaths (35.7%), the predominance of motorcycle accidents, in streets and avenues, on Saturdays, between 5:00 pm and 5:59 pm. Conclusion: Although there was a slight increase in the number of traffic accidents after the implementation of the "Dry Law", a significant reduction in the number of deaths was observed in this study, which allows us to infer that the law reduced the severity of accidents in the studied.

Knowledge about blood transfusion in a critical unit of a teaching hospital / Conhecimento sobre hemotransfusão em unidade crítica de hospital de ensino

This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of professionals of the nursing team of an intensive care unit about blood transfusion and to identify the factors associated with such knowledge. Observational, analytical, non-experimental and cross-sectional study held in adult intensive care units of a large, public, teaching hospital located in Minas Gerais. A validated instrument of the type check list was used to collect data. Descriptive analysis, calculation of knowledge scores, t-tests and Pearson correlation tests were performed. The study included 64 professionals of the nursing team, among which 73.4% were nursing technicians and 85.9% were female. The average age was 37.7 years. A total of 93.8% professionals said they had received training on blood transfusion; 76.6% said they sought information on the subject; and 100% reported to feel confident while performing the procedure. The average overall knowledge score was 52.8%. Factors associated with knowledge about blood transfusion were: professional category nurse, participation in training and specific course for professional improvement, post-graduate degree, number of blood transfusions carried out per month and time working in the sector. A lack of knowledge was observed among professionals in relation to transfusion therapy. This reinforces the need to increase the opportunities to acquire skills such as training courses and continuing and permanent education for nursing professionals who work in critical care units, focusing on patient safety and quality of care.

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o conhecimento dos profissionais da equipe de enfermagem de unidade de terapia intensiva sobre hemotransfusão e identificar os fatores associados a tal conhecimento. Estudo observacional, analítico, não experimental, transversal, realizado nas unidades de terapia intensiva adulto de um hospital público, de ensino e grande porte, localizado em Minas Gerais. Para a coleta de dados, utilizou-se um instrumento validado, do tipo checklist. Realizaram-se análise descritiva, cálculo de escores de conhecimento, teste t e correlação de Pearson. Participaram deste estudo 64 profissionais da equipe de enfermagem, sendo 73,4% técnicos em enfermagem, e 85,9% do sexo feminino. A média de idade foi 37,7 anos. Afirmaram ter recebido treinamento sobre hemotransfusão 93,8% dos profissionais; 76,6% referiram que procuravam se informar sobre o tema; e 100% referiram se sentir seguros durante a execução do procedimento. A média do escore geral de conhecimento foi de 52,8%. Os fatores associados ao conhecimento sobre hemotransfusão foram: categoria profissional enfermeiro, participação em capacitação e curso de aperfeiçoamento específico, possuir pós-graduação, número de hemotransfusões administradas por mês e tempo de atuação no setor. Evidenciou-se uma deficiência no conhecimento dos profissionais em relação à terapêutica transfusional. Isso reforça a necessidade de incrementar a oferta de capacitações, cursos de aperfeiçoamento, e educação continuada e permanente aos profissionais de enfermagem que atuam nas unidades críticas, tendo como foco a segurança do paciente e a qualidade do cuidado.

Factors associated with knowledge of the nursing staff at a teaching hospital on blood transfusion.

OBJECTIVE: to determine whether there is an association between knowledge of the nursing professionals about blood transfusion and the variables related to the professional aspects. METHOD: this is an observational, cross-sectional and quantitative study, carried out at a large general teaching hospital. The sample consisted of 209 nursing professionals, obtained by simple random sampling. For data collection, a checklist was used. In the univariate analysis, descriptive statistics and central trend and dispersion measures were used. In the bivariate analysis, Student's t-Test, analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation were used. To determine the predictors, multiple linear regression was applied. The Institutional Review Board (Opinion number 2434) approved the study. RESULTS: the overall average knowledge score was 52.66%; in the Pre-transfusion Step, it corresponded to 53.38%; in the Transfusion Step 51.25% and, in the Post-transfusion Step, 62.68%. The factors related to knowledge were professional category and received training and/or guidance to accomplish the transfusion process (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: this study showed the influence of training and guidance on the knowledge and provided a diagnosis to identify the professionals' difficulties regarding the transfusion process.

Factors associated with knowledge of the nursing staff at a teaching hospital on blood transfusion / Fatores associados ao conhecimento da equipe de enfermagem de um hospital de ensino sobre hemotransfusão / Factores asociados al conocimiento del equipo de enfermería sobre transfusión sanguínea en un hospital de enseñanza

AbstractObjective: to determine whether there is an association between knowledge of the nursing professionals about blood transfusion and the variables related to the professional aspects.Method: this is an observational, cross-sectional and quantitative study, carried out at a large general teaching hospital. The sample consisted of 209 nursing professionals, obtained by simple random sampling. For data collection, a checklist was used. In the univariate analysis, descriptive statistics and central trend and dispersion measures were used. In the bivariate analysis, Student's t-Test, analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation were used. To determine the predictors, multiple linear regression was applied. The Institutional Review Board (Opinion number 2434) approved the study.Results: the overall average knowledge score was 52.66%; in the Pre-transfusion Step, it corresponded to 53.38%; in the Transfusion Step 51.25% and, in the Post-transfusion Step, 62.68%. The factors related to knowledge were professional category and received training and/or guidance to accomplish the transfusion process (p<0.01).Conclusion: this study showed the influence of training and guidance on the knowledge and provided a diagnosis to identify the professionals' difficulties regarding the transfusion process.

ResumoObjetivo:verificar se há associação entre o conhecimento dos profissionais da equipe de enfermagem sobre hemotransfusão e as variáveis relacionadas aos aspectos profissionais.Método:trata-se de um estudo observacional, transversal, quantitativo, realizado em um hospital geral, de ensino e de grande porte. A amostra foi constituída por 209 profissionais da equipe de enfermagem, obtida por sorteio aleatório simples. A coleta de dados utilizou um instrumento do tipo checklist. Na análise univariada, utilizaram-se estatística descritiva e medidas de centralidade e de dispersão. Na análise bivariada, utilizaram-se o Teste t de Student, a análise de variância e a correlação de Pearson. Para determinar os preditores, utilizou-se a regressão linear múltipla. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa (Parecer n° 2434).Resultados:a média de escore geral de conhecimento foi de 52,66%, na Etapa Pré-transfusional foi de 53,38%; na Etapa Transfusional, 51,25%; e na Etapa Pós-transfusional, 62,68%. Os fatores relacionados ao conhecimento foram categoria profissional e receber treinamento e/ou orientação para a realização do processo transfusional (p<0,01).Conclusão:este estudo evidenciou a influência do treinamento e orientação sobre o conhecimento e forneceu um diagnóstico para a identificação das dificuldades dos profissionais relacionadas ao processo transfusional.

ResumenObjetivo:verificar si existe asociación entre el conocimiento de los profesionales del equipo de enfermería sobre transfusión sanguínea con las variables relacionadas a aspectos profesionales.Método:se trata de un estudio observacional, transversal, cuantitativo, realizado en un hospital general, de enseñanza y de gran porte. La muestra fue constituida por 209 profesionales del equipo de enfermería, obtenida por sorteo aleatorio simple. La recolección de datos utilizó un instrumento del tipo lista de verificación. En el análisis univariado, se utilizó la estadística descriptiva y las medidas de centralidad y de dispersión. En el análisis bivariado, se utilizaron el test t de Student, el análisis de variancia y la correlación de Pearson. Para determinar los factores de predicción, se utilizó la regresión linear múltiple. El estudio fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética en Investigación con dictamen n° 2434.Resultados:el promedio del puntaje general de conocimiento fue de 52,66%; en la Etapa de Pre-transfusión fue de 53,38%; en la Etapa de Transfusión, 51,25%; y, en la Etapa Post-transfusión, 62,68%. Los factores relacionados al conocimiento fueron: categoría profesional y recibir entrenamiento y/u orientación para la realización del proceso de transfusión (p<0,01).Conclusión:este estudio evidenció la influencia del entrenamiento y la orientación sobre el conocimiento y suministró un diagnóstico para la identificación de las dificultades de los profesionales relacionadas al proceso de transfusión.

Sociodemographic and health factors associated with chronic pain in institutionalized elderly / Fatores sociodemográficos e de saúde associados à dor crônica em idosos institucionalizados / Factores sociodemográficos y de salud asociados al dolor crónico en ancianos institucionalizados

OBJECTIVES: to characterize chronic pain in institutionalized elderly and verify the associated factors. METHOD: observational, cross-sectional and non-experimental study with a quantitative approach. The study participants were 124 elderly living in Long-Term Care Institutions for the Elderly (LTCIs) in a city in Minas Gerais (Brazil). Approval for the project was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee. The elderly's clinical and sociodemographic variables and pain-related aspects were assessed. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis (chi-squared). RESULTS: the prevalence of chronic pain corresponded to 58.1%; for more than 10 years (26.4%); in lower limbs (31.9%); characterized as "twinges" (33.3%); 33.3% adopted medication treatment; the pain did not improve (41.7 %); or worsen (34.7 %). It was evidenced that elderly aged 60├ 70 old had 70% less chances of chronic pain than those aged 80 years and older (p=0.018). CONCLUSION: institutionalized elderly have a high prevalence of chronic pain, mainly in the lower limbs. No factors of pain improvement or worsening were identified and medication was evidenced as the preferred treatment. Age showed to be associated with the presence of pain. It is considered important to accomplish multiprofessional actions at the LTCIs to guide prevention and rehabilitation actions of the pain episodes in these elderly. .

OBJETIVOS: caracterizar a dor crônica em idosos institucionalizados e verificar os fatores associados. MÉTODO: estudo observacional, transversal, não experimental, com abordagem quantitativa. Participaram do estudo 124 idosos residentes nas Instituições de Longa Permanência para Idosos de um município de Minas Gerais, Brasil. O projeto aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa. Foram avaliadas variáveis clínicas e sociodemográficas dos idosos e aspectos relacionados à dor. Os dados foram analisados segundo estatística descritiva e análise bivariada (qui-quadrado). RESULTADOS: observou-se prevalência de 58,1% de dor crônica; por mais de 10 anos (26,4%); em membros inferiores (31,9%); do tipo "pontada" (33,3%); 33,3% adotavam tratamento medicamentoso; não havendo fator de melhora (41,7 %) ou piora da dor (34,7 %). Evidenciou-se que idosos com 60├70 anos tiveram 70% menos chances de apresentarem dor crônica em relação aos de 80 anos e mais (p=0,018). CONCLUSÃO: idosos institucionalizados possuíam prevalência alta de dor crônica, principalmente em membros inferiores, não se identificou o fator melhora ou piora da dor e o tratamento medicamentoso foi evidenciado como primeira escolha. A idade revelou-se fator associado à presença de dor. Considera-se importante que ações multiprofissionais sejam realizadas nas Instituições de Longa Permanência para Idosos, para direcionar ações de prevenção e reabilitação dos episódios de dor nesses idosos. .

OBJETIVOS: caracterizar el dolor crónico en ancianos institucionalizados y verificar los factores asociados. MÉTODO: estudio observacional, trasversal, no experimental, aproximación cuantitativa. Participaron del estudio 124 ancianos residentes en las Instituciones de Larga Permanencia para Ancianos (ILPAs) de un municipio de Minas Gerais (Brasil). Proyecto aprobado por el Comité de Ética e Investigación. Fueron evaluadas variables clínicas y sociodemográficas de los ancianos y aspectos relacionados al dolor. Los datos fueron analizados según estadística descriptiva y análisis bivariado (ji-cuadrado). RESULTADOS: fue observada prevalencia de 58,1% de dolor crónica; durante más de 10 años (26,4%); en miembros inferiores (31,9%); del tipo "punzada" (33,3%); 33,3% adoptaba tratamiento medicamentoso; sin factor de mejora (41,7 %); o empeoramiento del dolor (34,7%). Fue evidenciado que ancianos con 60├ 70 años tuvieron 70% menos chances de presentar dolor crónico con relación a aquellos de 80 años y más (p=0,018). CONCLUSIÓN: ancianos institucionalizados tenían prevalencia alta de dolor crónico, principalmente en miembros inferiores, no fue identificado el factor de mejora o empeoramiento del dolor y el tratamiento medicamentoso fue evidenciado como preferencia. La edad se mostró factor asociado a la presencia de dolor. Es considerado importante que acciones multiprofesionales sean llevadas a cabo en las ILPAs para dirigir acciones de prevención y rehabilitación de los episodios de dolor en esos ancianos. .

Risk factors associated with the occurrence of adverse events in plateletpheresis donation.

OBJECTIVE: To recognize the profile of platelet donors and the profile of the plateletpheresis session as well as to investigate the main adverse events of platelet donation using plateletpheresis and associated risk factors. METHODS: This retrospective, cross-sectional and analytical study was performed with a quantitative approach by analyzing 316 donation files from February 2010 to December 2011. The IBM SPSS Statistics program was used for data processing and analysis. The chi-square test was used to verify whether there was an association between factors related to the procedure and the donor, and the adverse events that occurred. RESULTS: The mean age of platelet donors was 40 years old (standard deviation=8.9), with the prevalent age group being between 40 and 49 years old; the prevalent blood type was O positive (53.8%), the mean duration of the procedure was 73min and the mean amount of anticoagulant used was 360mL. The association between procedure duration and the volume of anticoagulant was inverse and statistically significant; the longer the procedure and the greater the volume of anticoagulant used, the less adverse reactions occurred. CONCLUSION: The low incidence of adverse events indicates that the procedure is well tolerated by donors. Obtaining data regarding the incidence of adverse events is a way of promoting a dynamic review of medical and nursing teams to improve the safety and comfort of the donor.

Risk factors associated with the occurrence of adverse events in plateletpheresis donation

OBJECTIVE: To recognize the profile of platelet donors and the profile of the plateletpheresis session as well as to investigate the main adverse events of platelet donation using plateletpheresis and associated risk factors. METHODS: This retrospective, cross-sectional and analytical study was performed with a quantitative approach by analyzing 316 donation files from February 2010 to December 2011. The IBM SPSS Statistics program was used for data processing and analysis. The chi-square test was used to verify whether there was an association between factors related to the procedure and the donor, and the adverse events that occurred. RESULTS: The mean age of platelet donors was 40 years old (standard deviation = 8.9), with the prevalent age group being between 40 and 49 years old; the prevalent blood type was O positive (53.8%), the mean duration of the procedure was 73 min and the mean amount of anticoagulant used was 360 mL. The association between procedure duration and the volume of anticoagulant was inverse and statistically significant; the longer the procedure and the greater the volume of anticoagulant used, the less adverse reactions occurred. CONCLUSION: The low incidence of adverse events indicates that the procedure is well tolerated by donors. Obtaining data regarding the incidence of adverse events is a way of promoting a dynamic review of medical and nursing teams to improve the safety and comfort of the donor. .

Sociodemographic and health factors associated with chronic pain in institutionalized elderly.

OBJECTIVES: to characterize chronic pain in institutionalized elderly and verify the associated factors. METHOD: observational, cross-sectional and non-experimental study with a quantitative approach. The study participants were 124 elderly living in Long-Term Care Institutions for the Elderly (LTCIs) in a city in Minas Gerais (Brazil). Approval for the project was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee. The elderly's clinical and sociodemographic variables and pain-related aspects were assessed. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis (chi-squared). RESULTS: the prevalence of chronic pain corresponded to 58.1%; for more than 10 years (26.4%); in lower limbs (31.9%); characterized as "twinges" (33.3%); 33.3% adopted medication treatment; the pain did not improve (41.7 %); or worsen (34.7 %). It was evidenced that elderly aged 60├ 70 old had 70% less chances of chronic pain than those aged 80 years and older (p=0.018). CONCLUSION: institutionalized elderly have a high prevalence of chronic pain, mainly in the lower limbs. No factors of pain improvement or worsening were identified and medication was evidenced as the preferred treatment. Age showed to be associated with the presence of pain. It is considered important to accomplish multiprofessional actions at the LTCIs to guide prevention and rehabilitation actions of the pain episodes in these elderly.

Complicaciones en pacientes sometidos a Angioplastia Coronaria Transluminal Percutánea / Complications in patients undergoing Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo identificar las complicaciones locales y sistémicas en pacientes sometidos a Angioplastia Coronaria Transluminal Percutánea y los factores de riesgo que pueden influir en la aparición de estas complicaciones. Estudio prospectivo, transversal, con análisis cuantitativo de los datos que fueron recolectados de 127 pacientes en la Unidad de Hemodinámica y en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos del hospital campo de estudio. Los datos fueron analizados mediante estadística descriptiva. Para investigar la asociación entre los factores de riesgo y las complicaciones después de la Angioplastia Coronaria Transluminal Percutánea se utilizó prueba de Chi cuadrado. Se observó que 79 (62,2%) pacientes presentaron complicaciones. De éstos, 39 (49,4%) tuvieron complicaciones locales, 25 (31,7%), complicaciones sistémicas y 15 (18,9%) habían asociado las complicaciones locales y sistémicas. Hubo una asociación estadísticamente significativa (p<0,05) entre el uso continuo de los anticoagulantes después de la Angioplastia Coronaria Transluminal Percutánea y la presencia de complicaciones. Se encontró que la mayoría de los pacientes tuvo complicaciones y el uso de anticoagulante después del procedimiento está asociado con estas complicaciones(AU)

This research aimed to identify the local and systemic complications in patients undergoing Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty and risk factors that may influence the occurrence of these complications. It is a prospective cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach of the data that were collected from 127 patients in the Unit of Hemodynamic and in the Unit of Intensive Terapy of the hospital field of study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. To investigate the association between risk factors and complications after Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty was used Chi-square test. It was observed that 79 (62.2%) patients had complications. Of these, 39 (49.4%) had local complications, 25 (31.7%) systemic complications and 15 (18.9%) had associated local and systemic complications. There was a statistically significant association (p<0,05) between the continuous use of anticoagulants after Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty and presence of complications. It was evident that most of the patients had complications and use of anticoagulant after the procedure is associated with these complications(AU)

Aspectos clínicos e epidemiológicos dos clientes submetidos à cineangiocoronariografia / Clinical and epidemiological aspects of patients who underwent coronary angiography / Aspectos clínicos y epidemiológicos de los clientes sometidos a cineangiocoronariografia

As doenças cardiovasculares representam a principal causa de morbimortalidade e estão associadas a vários fatores de risco. Trata-se de um estudo observacional, transversal, que teve como objetivos caracterizar os clientes submetidos à cineangiocoronariografia, segundo as variáveis socioeconômicas, clínicas e epidemiológicas, identificar os fatores de risco para coronariopatias e o conhecimento prévio sobre o procedimento. Foram entrevistados 107 clientes na Unidade de Hemodinâmica de um hospital de ensino de grande porte de Minas Gerais. Os dados foram analisados segundo estatística descritiva. A média de idade foi de 60,13 anos; 51,4% eram do sexo masculino; 75,7% afirmaram que tinham hipertensão arterial; 37,4%, que tinham história pregressa de infarto agudo do miocárdio; 46,7%, dislipidemia; 58,9%eram tabagistas; 25,2% etilistas; 70,1% sedentários; 35,5% tinham sobrepeso; 19,6% eram obesos; e 28,9% tinham diabetes mellitus. A maioria relatou que conhecia o procedimento e já o tinha realizado. Esses achados apontam para a necessidade de implementação de novos programas de prevenção de doença coronariana, tendo em vista os aspectos epidemiológicos identificados nessa população.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. These diseases are associated with multiplerisk factors. This is an observational study that aimed to characterize patients who underwent coronary angiography, according to the socio, clinical and epidemiological variable and to identify the coronary heart disease risk factors and the patients’ previous knowledge about the procedure. We interviewed 107 clients in the catheterization lab of a large teaching hospital in Minas Gerais. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The average age was 60.13 years, 51.4% were male, 75.7% had hypertension, 37.4% had a history of myocardial infarction, 46.7% had dyslipidemia, 58.9% were smokers, 25.2% consumed alcohol, 70.1% were sedentary, 35.5% were overweight, 19.6% were obese and 28.9% had diabetes mellitus. Most patients reported being familiar with the procedure and had already been submitted to it previously. In view of the epidemiological aspects identified among this population the study findings highlight the need for the implementation of new programs directed to the prevention of coronary disease.

Las enfermedades cardiovasculares son la principal causa de morbilidad y mortalidad y están asociadas a múltiplesfactores de riesgo. Se trata de un estudio observacional con el objetivo de caracterizar los clientes sometidos a unacineangiocoronariografia según las variables socioeconómicas, clínicas y epidemiológicas, identificar los factores de riesgo para coronariocardiopatías y asimismo, los conocimientos sobre el procedimiento precedente. Entrevistamos a 107 clientes de la Unidad de Hemodinámica de un gran hospital escuela del Estado de Minas Gerais. Los datos fueron analizados utilizando la estadística descriptiva. La edad promedio fue de 60,13 años, 51,4% eran varones, 75,7% hipertensos, 37,4% tenía antecedentes de infarto de miocardio, 46,7%dislipemia, 58,9 % era fumadores, 25,2% consumía alcohol, 70,1% era sedentario, 35,5% estaba con sobrepeso, 19,6% era obeso y 28,9% tenía diabetes mellitus. La mayoría informó estar familiarizada con el procedimiento y que ya lo había realizado antes. Estos datos señalan lanecesidad de implementar nuevos programas para la prevención de la enfermedad coronaria, teniendo en cuenta los aspectos epidemiológicos identificados en esta población.