Incidence of hemorrhagic complications with use of a radial compression device: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence of hemorrhagic complications in patients undergoing radial cardiac catheterization and using a hemostatic device for arterial compression. METHOD: A prospective cohort study conducted with patients undergoing elective cardiac catheterization in two hemodynamic laboratories in southern Brazil. The TR Band® radial compression device was used during 4 hours for hemostasis of the arterial puncture site. Hematomas and minor bleeding were the outcomes evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 244 patients were evaluated. The mean age was 63.5±10.9 years, 61.9% were male, 73.8% had systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) and 42.8% were dyslipidemic. Type I hematoma occurred in 1.2% of patients and minor bleeding in 9% after removal of the device. There was no significant association between hematomas and bleeding, and patients who used oral anticoagulants (p=0.604) and prior use of antiplatelets (p=0.958). CONCLUSION: The use of the hemostatic device for radial artery compression was safe in clinical practice and there was a low incidence of hematomas and minor bleeding after radial coronary angiography.

Comparison of quality of life between patients on the waiting list and heart transplant recipients. / Comparação da qualidade de vida entre pacientes em lista de espera e pacientes submetidos a transplante cardíaco.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the quality of life (QOL) between wait-listed patients and heart transplant recipients. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 56 adult patients at two institutions in Southern Brazil, 9(16%) wait-listed patients and 47(84%) transplant recipients. Data were collected from August to December 2012. QOL was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), with scores ranging from zero to 100. RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference between the two groups in the overall QOL score (p=0.010) and in four dimensions. The mean rank was 16.9 in wait-listed patients and 30.7 in transplant recipients. Wait-listed patients presented the lowest for general health (9.1) and the highest scores for role-emotional (24.8). Transplant recipients obtained the highest scores for general health (32.2) and the lowest scores for bodily pain (29.1). CONCLUSIONS: Undergoing a transplant has a positive impact on the QOL of recipients compared to that of patients awaiting transplantation.

Changes in quality of life associated with surgical risk in elderly patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

The study aims to verify quality of life of elderly patients submitted to cardiac surgery, and correlating surgical risk to health-related quality of life instrument domains. Prospective cohort study, performed at a cardiology hospital. It included elderly patients who had undergone elective cardiac surgery. Pre- and postoperative quality of life was evaluated by applying the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Old (WHOQOL-OLD) scale and the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire. Surgical risk was stratified using the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE). Fifty-four patients, mostly men (64.8%), were included, with a mean age of 69.3 ± 5.7 years. The eight domains of the SF-36 questionnaire, and the four facets presented for the WHOQOL-OLD scale showed improved quality of life 6 months after surgery (P < 0.001). No difference was found in the association of EuroSCORE with the domains of the health-related quality of life instruments. The data showed improved quality of life of elderly people submitted to cardiac surgery, unrelated to surgical risk.

Low body mass index is associated with a positive response during a head-up tilt test.

BACKGROUND: To describe the association between body mass index (BMI) and a positive response during a head-up tilt test (HUT) in patients referred for an investigation of syncope. METHODS: Observational study of patients referred for the diagnostic evaluation of syncope. Patients were divided into four groups according to their BMI: <18.5 kg/m(2), 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2), 25-29.9 kg/m(2), and > 30 kg/m(2). RESULTS: A total of 419 patients were evaluated. The mean age was 43 ± 22 years, and 62% were female. The prevalence of a positive tilt test was different between groups when stratified by BMI (P = 0.01), with a higher proportion of patients with positive tests among those with BMI <18.5 kg/m(2) compared with other groups (P = 0.05). Multivariate analysis also showed that underweight patients had a 3.9 times higher risk for a positive HUT response (P = 0.01); additionally, the use of contraceptive drugs was associated with a protective effect during HUT (odds ratio: 0.35, confidence interval: 0.19-0.45, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In our sample, changes in BMI are associated with a positive response for HUT, and oral contraceptives seemed to protect against this response. Further studies are needed with larger numbers of patients to corroborate this finding.

[Pain scale: implementation for patients in the immediate postoperative period of cardiac surgery]. / Escala da dor: implantação para pacientes em pós-operatório imediato de cirurgia cardíaca.

A clinical intervention study was developed in a hospital specialized in cardiology in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, with the objective of evaluating the implementation of the pain scale in post-operative cardiac surgery patients. It was developed in four steps: pre-test on pain, training lecture for nursing staff, and, reapplication of the pre-test at 30 and 60 days. The test consisted of ten questions weighing one point each. Scores > or =7 were determined to represent satisfactory knowledge in using the pain scale. The sample consisted of 57 nursing professionals. The scores ranged from 6.12 +/- 1.65 in the pre-test to 7.73 +/- 1.05 and 8.18 +/- 0.99 after 30 and 60 days, respectively (p<0.005). Pain intensity was correlated to medication standardized by protocol. The training improved the knowledge of the team and the type of analgesia administered in relation to pain intensity.

Severity of postoperative cardiac surgery patients: na evolution analysis according to TISS-28.

This study verified the daily TISS-28 score in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery at a cardiology intensive care unit. This cohort study included 55 postoperative cardiac surgery patients, who were sent to the intensive care unit to recover. Data were collected from patients records with daily application of the TISS-28. The obtained data revealed that the average age of the population was 61.47 years+/-12.12 years, 78.2% were male, 51.43% underwent valve repair surgery and 48.57% myocardial revascularization surgery. The severity index in the immediate postoperative period was 41.33+/-5.01. The follow-up of patients using the TISS-28 evidenced a significant decrease in the index values up to the patients discharge, averaging at 13.19+/-2.59. The results indicate that immediate postoperative cardiac surgery patients are in severe conditions, hemodynamically unstable and classified in class III according to the TISS-28, though scores gradually decrease over time.

[Prevalence of risk factors for acute coronary syndrome in patients treated in an emergency service]. / Prevalência de fatores de risco para síndrome coronariana aguda em pacientes atendidos em uma emergência.

Our purpose is to characterize the profile of patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) assisted in an emergency service in Porto Alegre. The characterization of the profiles focus on risk factors. This prevalence study was carried out from August, 2007 to February 2008. To collect the data, we developed a questionnaire, checked bedside assessment and measured anthropometric evaluation. 152 patients had their ACS evaluated, of which 63.8% were males, with an average age of 61 +/- 10.26 years. 50.7% had acute myocardial infarction non-ST elevation, 14.5% acute myocardial infarction with-ST elevation, and 34.9% unstable Angina. Risk factors were sedentariness (86.8%); overweightness and obesity (77%); systemic arterial hypertension (75.7%); family history (56.6%); stress (52.6%); dyslipidemia (44.7%); diabetes mellitus (40.1%); tobacco smoking (39.5%); and alcohol consumption (14.4%). A high prevalence of risk factors for ACS was verified, indicating a necessity of health education programs to reduce morbimortality.

Stress in Women with Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Closer Look. / Um Olhar sobre o Stress nas Mulheres com Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio.

BACKGROUND: Women seem to be more susceptible to psychosocial stress than men, and stress is associated with worse outcomes after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether the female gender is an independent predictor of risk for stress and to compare stress levels between women and men after AMI. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of a case series. Patients aged 18 to 65 years who were treated for AMI at the study facility between January 2017 and June 2018 were eligible. The presence of stress was assessed using Lipp's Stress Symptoms Inventory for Adults (ISSL), which categorizes stress into four phases (alertness, resistance, near-exhaustion, and exhaustion), through a list of physical and psychological symptoms. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 24.0. The significance level was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Of the 330 respondents, 89% of women and 70% of men experienced stress. The female gender was associated with nearly threefold higher odds of experiencing stress (EXP (B)2.79, p = 0.02). Regarding the phases of stress, women were more often in the near-exhaustion and exhaustion phases, while men were more often in the resistance phase. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that women are most often in the third and fourth phases of stress, i.e., in situations of long-standing psychosocial stress. These findings can assist in the development of gender-specific strategies for health promotion and disease prevention, aiming to minimize the effects of stress in this population.

FUNDAMENTO: As mulheres parecem ser mais suscetíveis ao estresse psicossocial quando comparadas aos homens, e o estresse está associado a piora na evolução clínica dos pacientes após o infarto agudo do miocárdio (IAM). OBJETIVOS: Investigar se o sexo feminino é preditor independente de risco para o estresse e comparar os níveis de estresse entre mulheres e homens com IAM. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de uma série de casos, realizado entre janeiro de 2017 e junho de 2018. Pacientes com idade entre 18 e 65 anos, atendidos na instituição por IAM nesse período. A existência de estresse foi avaliada por meio do Inventário de Sintomas de Stress para Adultos de LIPP (ISSL), que o categoriza em quatro fases: alerta, resistência, quase exaustão e exaustão, com base em uma lista de sintomas físicos e psicológicos. Os dados foram analisados pelo programa estatístico Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) versão 24.0. O nível de significância adotado foi um valor de p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Dos 330 entrevistados, 89% das mulheres e 70% dos homens apresentaram estresse; o sexo feminino quase triplicou as chances de sofrê-lo (EXP (B) 2,79; p = 0,02). Quanto às quatro fases, as mulheres mostraram-se mais em quase exaustão e exaustão, e os homens, mais em resistência. CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo evidenciou que as mulheres se encontram na terceira e quarta fases do estresse, ou seja, em situações de estresse psicossocial duradouras. Tais resultados podem auxiliar no desenvolvimento de estratégias específicas para prevenção e promoção da saúde conforme os sexos, visando minimizar os efeitos do estresse nesses pacientes.

Nursing Guidelines on Cardiac Surgery and Parents' Anxiety: Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The preparation of parents of children who should undergo cardiac surgery requires special treatment such as the explanations about the event. This study aims to compare the effects of standardized nursing guidelines with routine institutional orientation on the anxiety of parents of children undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: Randomized clinical trial. The sample consisted of parents of children who underwent cardiac surgery from December 2010 to April 2011. Twenty-two parents were randomized to the intervention group (IG) and received the standard nursing guidelines and 22 participated in the control group (CG) and received the routine guidelines from the institution. Anxiety was assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) applied in the preoperative period, between 12 and 20 hours before surgery and before receiving standard or institutional guidelines and 48 hours after surgery. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures was performed to evaluate the differences between the variations in STAI scores between the groups during the studied period. The level of significance was 0.05. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline anxiety scores between groups with regard to trait anxiety as well as state anxiety: STAI-trait (CG 42.6±4.9 vs. IG 41.4±6.0, P=0.48); STAI-state (CG 42.3±5.7 vs. IG 45.6±8.3, P=0.18). Likewise, the variation in score after 48 hours was similar between groups (STAI-trait P=0.77; STAI-state P=0.61). CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in the parents' anxiety levels when comparing the two types of guidelines: the standard nursing and the institutional orientation.

Nursing process: from literature to practice. What are we actually doing?

OBJECTIVES: To describe the steps of the nursing process as prescribed in the literature and to investigate the process as actually applied in the daily routine of a general hospital. METHODS: Cross-sectional retrospective study (May/June 2005), performed in a hospital in Porto Alegre, RS. Medical records of adult patients admitted to a surgical, clinical or intensive care unit were reviewed to identify the nursing process steps accomplished during the first 48 h after admission. The form for data collection was structured according to other reports. RESULTS: 302 medical records were evaluated. Nursing records and physical examination were included in over 90% of them. Nursing diagnosis was not found in any of the records. Among the steps performed, prescription was the least frequent. Evolution of the case was described in over 95% of the records. CONCLUSIONS: All nursing steps recommended in the literature, except for diagnosis, are performed in the research institution.

[Door-to-electrocardiogram (EKG) time: an indicator of efficacy in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction]. / Tempo porta-eletrocardiograma (ECG): um indicador de eficácia no tratamento do infarto agudo do miocárdio.

This investigation aimed to measure door-to-electrocardiogram (EKG) time in patients with acute myocardial infarction who were attended at the emergency room of a General Hospital. This is a cohort study which evaluated the time of arrival, EKG, nursing and thrombolytic care. Data were obtained from records from March to July of 2006. The sample was composed of 53 patients with an average age of 61.1 +/- 12.2 years, 64% male. The first attendance was performed by the nurse staff 50% of the patients were treated in eight minutes and the door-to-EKG time was within 20 minutes. There was no difference between the door-to-EKG time and the mean of transportation used to get to the hospital (P = 0.39). The shift and the medical specialty did not influence the EKG time (P = 0.23) and (P = 0.14). The study results show an increase in time for EKG performance. However it was not possible to identify the factors that delayed the EKG

Profile of the nursing diagnoses in stable heart disease patients.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the nursing diagnoses through reports in the medical records of patients monitored in a specialized ischemic heart disease outpatient clinic. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with retrospective data collection in the medical records. From the data collected, the nursing diagnoses were proposed by the researchers and submitted for validation by specialist cardiology nurses. RESULTS: A total of 13 nursing diagnoses were evaluated from the medical records of 50 outpatients with the following validation agreements among the specialists: Ineffective health management (100%), Noncompliance (100%), Sedentary lifestyle (100%), Activity intolerance (100%), Decreased cardiac output (88%), Risk of decreased cardiac tissue perfusion (65%), Risk of intolerance to activity (65%), Acute pain (76%), Ineffective health maintenance (65%), Risk-prone health behavior (65%), Risk for decreased cardiac output (65%), Risk for intolerance to activity (65%), Ineffective respiratory pattern (53%), Impaired memory (29%). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the nursing diagnoses validated for stable heart disease patients were linked to adherence to treatment and to the cardiovascular responses of the patients, reinforcing the importance of early intervention. These results allow the multidisciplinary team to individualize the goals and interventions proposed for ischemic heart disease patients.

Ambulatory setting of patients with surgical site infections after a cardiac intervention. / Cenário ambulatorial de pacientes com sítio cirúrgico infectado após intervenção cardíaca.

OBJECTIVE: Verifying the clinical-surgical profile and the results of patients monitored in an surgical wound ambulatory after a cardiac surgeries. METHODS: This is a historical cohort research with patients submitted to cardiac surgery and monitored for a year in an outpatient surgical wound clinic from a hospital specialized in cardiology. The study analyzed the prevalent microorganisms in infections, the products used in the dressings, the time of follow-up, and the type of therapy established in the dressings. RESULTS: Among the 150 patients, most were sexagenarians (61.7 ± 11.4 years), hypertensive patients (75%), and diabetic (44.7%). There were 12 patients with mediastinitis (8%) and 44 with surgical site infection (29.3%). Fatty acids (80%) and calcium alginate (19%) were used for wound healing. The mean follow-up time was 35 ± 71 days. CONCLUSION: Sexagenary, hypertensive, diabetic and revascularized patients constituted the population monitored in the wounds outpatient clinic. The SSI and mediastinitis rates found were acceptable and similar to those in literature.

Delay factors on the administration of thrombolytic therapy in patients diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction in a general hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that delay the onset of thrombolysis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: A cohort study was carried out with 146 patients, each diagnosed with AMI and subjected to thrombolytic therapy. The data was extracted from medical records between January 2002 and December 2004. RESULTS: The average age of the studied population was 57.5 +/- 9 years, 64.4% were male. The average time between the onset of pain and arrival at the hospital was 254.7 +/- 126.6 minutes, 28.1% used an ambulance for the trip to the hospital, the door-to-electrocardiogram time averaged 19.4 +/- 7.3 minutes and the door-to-needle time was 51.1 +/- 14.9 minutes. There was no significant difference between the time of arrival to the hospital and the method of transportation used (P= 0.81), and those seen by cardiologists and during the nightshift had a reduction in the door-to-needle time, respectively (P=0.014) and (P=0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Study results show that the delay in the search for medical service, and the long time taken from door-to-electrocardiogram and to reach the AMI diagnosis were the factors involved in the delay of thrombolytic treatment.

Prevalent nursing diagnoses and interventions in the hospitalized elder care.

OBJECTIVES: to identify the prevalent nursing diagnoses (ND) in the hospitalized elder care; to compare the prevalent ND with the duration of hospital stay and with the prescribed cares for their respective diagnoses. METHOD: Transversal historical study carried through in Porto Alegre, RS, by analyzing patient records age e60 years old, interned in clinical unities of a university hospital. RESULTS: 1665 records were analyzed; the four prevalent NANDA nursing diagnoses--within 62 identified ones--were: Self-Care Deficit--Bathing/Hygiene, Imbalanced Nutrition--Less than Body Requirements, Risk for Infection and Ineffective Breathing Patterns, varying from 14 to 17 days of hospital stay. THE MAIN CARES WERE: aiding bed bath, communicating diet acceptance, implementing routines of care in venous puncture and checking respiratory pattern. CONCLUSION: four prevalent ND were identified with the appropriate prescribed care. However, other care could have been established as a priority.

[Non-verbal communication of patients submitted to heart surgery: from awaking after anesthesia to extubation]. / Comunicação não verbal do paciente submetido a cirurgia cardíaca: do acordar da anestesia a extubação.

Preoperative orientation is an essential tool for patient's communication after surgery. This study had the objective of evaluating non-verbal communication of patients submitted to cardiac surgery from the time of awaking from anesthesia until extubation, after having received preoperative orientation by nurses. A quantitative cross-sectional study was developed in a reference hospital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from March to July 2006. Data were collected in the pre and post operative periods. A questionnaire to evaluate non-verbal communication on awaking from sedation was applied to a sample of 100 patients. Statistical analysis included Student, Wilcoxon, and Mann Whittney tests. Most of the patients responded satisfactorily to non-verbal communication strategies as instructed on the preoperative orientation. Thus, non-verbal communication based on preoperative orientation was helpful during the awaking period.

Independent Predictors of Late Presentation in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: In patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the time elapsed from symptom onset to receiving medical care is one of the main mortality predictors. OBJECTIVE: To identify independent predictors of late presentation in patients STEMI representative of daily clinical practice. METHODS: All patients admitted with a diagnosis of STEMI in a reference center between December 2009 and November 2014 were evaluated and prospectively followed during hospitalization and for 30 days after discharge. Late presentation was defined as a time interval > 6 hours from chest pain onset until hospital arrival. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of late presentation. Values of p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 1,297 patients were included, with a mean age of 60.7 ± 11.6 years, of which 71% were males, 85% Caucasians, 72% had a mean income lower than five minimum wages and 66% had systemic arterial hypertension. The median time of clinical presentation was 3.00 [1.40-5.48] hours, and approximately one-quarter of the patients had a late presentation, with their mortality being significantly higher. The independent predictors of late presentation were Black ethnicity, low income and diabetes mellitus, and a history of previous heart disease was a protective factor. CONCLUSION: Black ethnicity, low income and diabetes mellitus are independent predictors of late presentation in STEMI. The identification of subgroups of patients prone to late presentation may help to stimulate prevention policies for these high-risk individuals.

Predictors of Mediastinitis Risk after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Applicability of Score in 1.322 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Mediastinitis is a severe surgical complication of low incidence, but high lethality. Scores used in the preoperative period to stratify the risk of postoperative mediastinitis may contribute to improve the results. OBJECTIVE: To test the applicability of the MagedanzSCORE in predicting the risk factors for mediastinitis in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting at a cardiology reference hospital. METHODS: Historical cohort study with adult patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting. The analyzed variables were contemplated in the MagedanzSCORE: reoperation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obesity, class IV unstable angina, polytransfusion therapy, mediastinitis and death as outcome variables. RESULTS: Of the 1.322 patients examined, 56 (4.2%) developed mediastinitis. Of these, 26 (46.4%) were classified as high risk for mediastinitis and 15 (26.8%) at very high risk for mediastinitis. Three of the five variables of the Magendanz Score showed statistically significant differences: reoperation, COPD and obesity. Class IV unstable angina and postoperative polytransfusion were not associated with mediastinitis after coronary artery by-pass grafting. The area under the ROC curve was 0.80 (CI 95% 0.73 - 0.86), indicating the model's satisfactory ability to predict the occurrence of mediastinitis. CONCLUSION: The tool was useful in the preoperative assessment demonstrating the risk for mediastinitis in this population of intensive care patients. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2017; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0).

Effectiveness of a nursing intervention in decreasing the anxiety levels of family members of patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: to verify the effectiveness of nursing orientation provided to families of patients in the immediate post-operative following cardiac surgery before the first visit to the post-anesthesia care unit, in decreasing anxiety levels, compared to the unit's routine orientation. METHOD: open randomized clinical trial addressing family members in the waiting room before the first visit in the immediate post-operative period. The family members assigned to the intervention group received audiovisual orientation concerning the patients' conditions at the time and the control group received the unit's routine orientation. Outcome anxiety was assessed using the STAI-State. RESULTS: 210 individuals were included, 105 in each group, aged 46.4 years old on average (±14.5); 69% were female and 41% were the patients' children. The mean score obtained on the anxiety assessment in the intervention group was 41.3±8.6, while the control group scored 50.6±9.4 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: a nursing intervention focused on providing guidance to families before their first visit to patients in the immediate post-operative period of cardiac surgery helps to decrease the levels of anxiety of companions, making them feel better prepared for the moment. ReBEC (Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry) and The Universal Trial Number (UTN), No. U1111-1145-6172. OBJETIVO: verificar a efetividade das orientações de enfermagem a familiares de pacientes em pós-operatório imediato de cirurgia cardíaca, antes da primeira visita na sala de recuperação pós-anestésica, nos níveis de ansiedade, comparados com a orientação de rotina da unidade. MÉTODOS: ensaio clínico randomizado, realizado com familiares abordados na sala de espera, antes da primeira visita no pós-operatório imediato. Familiares alocados no grupo intervenção receberam orientações audiovisuais sobre as condições em que o paciente se encontrava naquele momento, e o grupo controle recebeu as orientações de rotina da unidade. O desfecho ansiedade foi avaliado pelo inventário IDATE. RESULTADOS: foram incluídos 210 sujeitos, 105 em cada grupo, com idade média de 46,4±14,5 anos, sendo 69% do sexo feminino e 41% filhos dos pacientes. Na avaliação da ansiedade, o escore médio para o grupo intervenção foi de 41,3±8,6 pontos e, para o grupo controle, 50,6±9,4 pontos (p<0,001). CONCLUSÃO: a intervenção de enfermagem voltada à orientação de familiares, no momento que antecede a primeira visita no pós-operatório imediato de cirurgia cardíaca, contribui para possível redução da ansiedade dos acompanhantes, contribuindo para que se sintam mais preparados para esse momento. Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC) e The Universal Trial Number (UTN), sob o número U1111-1145-6172. OBJETIVO: verificar la efectividad de las orientaciones de enfermería - dadas a familiares de pacientes en el posoperatorio inmediato de cirugía cardíaca, antes de la primera visita, en la sala de recuperación postanestésica - en los niveles de ansiedad, comparados con la orientación de rutina de la unidad. MÉTODOS: ensayo clínico aleatorio, realizado con familiares abordados en la sala de espera, antes de la primera visita en el posoperatorio inmediato. Familiares designados para el grupo intervención recibieron orientaciones audiovisuales sobre las condiciones en que el paciente se encontraba en aquel momento, y el grupo control recibió las orientaciones de rutina de la unidad. El resultado ansiedad fue evaluado por el inventario IDATE. RESULTADOS: fueron incluidos 210 sujetos, 105 en cada grupo, con edad promedio de 46,4±14,5 años, siendo 69% del sexo femenino y 41% eran hijos de los pacientes. En la evaluación de la ansiedad, el puntaje promedio para el grupo intervención fue de 41,3±8,6 puntos y, para el grupo control, 50,6±9,4 puntos (p<0,001). CONCLUSIÓN: la intervención de enfermería dirigida a orientar a familiares, en el momento que antecede a la primera visita en el posoperatorio inmediato de cirugía cardíaca, induce una posible reducción de la ansiedad de los acompañantes, contribuyendo para que se sientan más preparados para ese momento. Registro Brasileño de Ensayos Clínicos (ReBEC) y The Universal Trial Number (UTN), bajo el no U1111-1145-6172.