A randomized controlled trial of women's early use of a novel undergarment following sternotomy: the Women's Recovery from Sternotomy Trial (WREST).

BACKGROUND: Despite a lack of randomized trial evidence, clinicians often suggest that women use a brassiere to reduce poststernotomy pain and discomfort. We tested the effect of women's use of a special (compression) undergarment after sternotomy on pain, discomfort, and functional status. METHODS: Women (n = 481) having first-time sternotomy in 1 of 10 Canadian centers were randomized to receive the intervention or usual care. Pain and discomfort data (using numeric rating scales) were collected in person while participants were hospitalized. Thereafter, pain, discomfort, and functional status data (using Health Assessment Questionnaire) were collected by standardized telephone interview until 12 postoperative weeks. RESULTS: Overall, and until at least 6 weeks postoperatively, fewer women in the intervention than usual care group reported having incision and breast pain and discomfort. Breast pain scores were lower in the intervention than the usual care group at 2 weeks postoperatively (P = .04), and over time (OR 0.65 [95% CI 0.45-0.94], P = .02). For women discharged within 14 postoperative days, post hoc analyses revealed intervention group patients had a significantly reduced likelihood of breast pain (OR 0.46 [95% CI 0.32-0.66], P < .001) and breast discomfort (OR 0.62 [95% CI 0.44-0.86], P = .01) but not incision pain (OR 0.99 [95% CI 0.72-1.37], P = .95) or discomfort (OR 0.77 [95% CI 0.55-1.02], P = .06). There was no difference between groups in functional status. The effects were not influenced by age or brassiere size. CONCLUSIONS: Using a supportive undergarment during the early postoperative reduces breast pain. This finding is amplified and extends to include a reduction in breast discomfort, when women are discharged within 14 postoperative days.

The significance of cardiac surgery scars in adult patients with congenital heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Scars resulting from heart surgery mark patients for life, yet their effect on patients' well-being is unknown. AIM: To determine what spheres of life may be affected by surgical chest scarring. METHODS: A preliminary questionnaire asked 10 random patients at our adult congenital heart disease clinic to describe personal consequences (if any) of having a cardiac surgery scar. Results provided the basis to design another questionnaire which asked specific questions and attempted to rate the effect of scars on identified areas of concern. RESULTS: One hundred consecutive patients attending the clinic (53 males) aged 18 to 50 (mean 27 years) participated. Sixty percent reported that the scar affected them less now than in adolescence. The body was perceived as disfigured by 58%. The scar was concealed by 48% of patients. Attention to the scar made 19% of patients feel negative, 58% neutral and 23% positive. Chest scarring was associated with decreased self-esteem in 20% and decreased self-confidence in 18% of patients. Patients reported less effect of chest scarring on their choice of career, success in life, friendships, sexual relationships and choice of recreation. Sixty-one percent reported a positive effect on appreciation of health. CONCLUSION: Scars resulting from heart surgery may have a considerable effect on patients' body image and several aspects of everyday life.

A conceptual model of community capacity development for health promotion in the Alberta Heart Health Project.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to derive a conceptual model of community capacity development for health promotion based on the 5-year demonstration phase of the Alberta Heart Health Project. METHOD: Community actions associated with successful implementation and uptake of initiatives in four diverse target sites were identified by case study evaluation. RESULTS: Thirteen common elements of capacity development were found across the projects and categorized to define three primary dimensions of the process: (a) leadership that provided a driving force for implementation, (b) policy making that ensured diffusion and sustainability, and (c) use of local community resources and infrastructure. A conceptual model was constructed using these 3 dimensions and their interactions. CONCLUSION: Effective implementation of community health initiatives to promote heart health can be conceptualized as the involvement of local leadership, policy advocacy, and enhancement of existing infrastructure. The model highlights building these dimensions of community capacity development for health promotion.

Surgical outcome following treatment of isolated subaortic obstruction.

Surgical and nonsurgical patients with isolated subaortic stenosis (SAS) were compared to determine the important factors contributing to the timing of surgical intervention. This study reviews 49 consecutive patients (27 surgical and 22 nonsurgical) aged 1.8 to 15.9 years with isolated SAS. The preoperative peak left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient in surgical patients was significantly higher than the gradient in nonsurgical patients (59.0 +/- 30.4 vs 22.77 +/- 13.9 mm Hg, P = .0001). The progression in LVOT gradient analyzed by echo Doppler was significantly higher in the surgical group compared with the nonsurgical group (10.48 +/- 9.7 vs 1.56 +/- 6.5 mm Hg/y, P = .007). Repeat surgical intervention was required in 22% of patients in the surgical group for recurrence of SAS, and 4% needed a third surgery. The progression in the severity of aortic regurgitation (AR) was not significantly different in the surgical and nonsurgical groups. There was a significant association between the development of AR and patients undergoing surgery (P = .045). AR may not be a reliable indication for early operative intervention in isolated SAS as there was no significant difference in its progression with surgical and nonsurgical patients. Asymptomatic patients with isolated SAS may warrant surgical intervention on the basis of progression of LVOT gradient, rather than the development or progression of AR.

When to consult a pediatric cardiologist: 2002.

Congenital heart defects (CHD) remain a significant cause of death in children, though the etiology remains unknown. One third of all patients born with CHD become critically ill during the first year of life, often within the first month. The reason for consulting a pediatric cardiologist may be urgent or elective and varies with different age groups, and on availability of health care resources. Referral to a pediatric cardiologist is urgently required in those infants with cyanosis, congestive heart failure, shock or arrhythmias, or those dysmorphic infants in whom a syndrome which may involve the heart is suspected. In these cases, referral is for the purpose of specific diagnosis and for life-saving intervention. In the older child, referral is more likely to be related to acquired disease or genetic abnormalities resulting in systemic and cardiac manifestations. A careful history and physical examination will often determine the need for referral. Because many defects can now be successfully treated surgically, it is important to determine prior to referral what resources are locally or regionally available, and what the family's perspective on aggressive therapy is.