Università degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Corso di laurea in infermieristica - Sede di Modena

Abstract

Globally, cardiovascular disease is estimated to be the leading cause of death and loss of life years because of disability; each year there are approximately 227,000 acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Data from the study "INTERHEART" showed that the rates of cardiovascular disease have increased dramatically in low and middle-income countries with approximately 80% of the global burden of disease. In the 7% - 10% of cases acute myocardial infarction is complicated by cardiogenic shock. Shock, determinated by a lot of inner causes, is a condition that endangers life. The nurse who assists both people suffering and risking shock, must understand the underlying mechanisms that have resulted in the shock and recognize both the light events and the most obvious ones. A rapid assessment and rapid treatment are essential to the recovery of the patient. The IABP has become the most left ventricular assist device used after is initial introduction for the treatment of cardiogenic shock in 1967. However, its use is not without risk to patients. The professional nurse plays a crucial role in the care of people with severe heart failure who receive IABP therapy. A general understanding of the mechanisms and actions in knowing how to deal with the physiological aspects of IABP is requested, the potential complications, the importance of a meticulous evaluation and monitoring of the critically ill patient, allowing a nurse managing these patients with a specific focus on the expected improvements on cardiac function, with the optimization of the device in order to obtain maximum benefits from this mechanical support. However, further random controlled studies on the device’s efficacy are required.