ABSTRACT
Most patients undergoing cardiac surgery have only single organ failure, so recovery is usually rapid, most patients being transferred to stepdown units the following day. Percutaneous coronary interventions are a generic term for procedures using catheters inserted into the vascular system which enter the coronary circulation. Open-heart surgery necessitates opening the thorax by sternotomy. Occluded coronary arteries can be bypassed by grafts to restore myocardial blood supply. Mitral valve disease, historically a late complication of rheumatic fever, has decreased in Western countries, although incidence of age-related aortic stenosis is increasing. In addition to needs of any post-operative patient, cardiac surgery creates specialised needs. Pain control is central to intensive care nursing, but with cardiac problems sympathetic nervous stimulation from pain is likely to cause additional complications, prolonging recovery. If therapeutic hypothermia is used, weaning from ventilation and extubation are usually delayed until normothermia is achieved.
