Nursing Considerations for the Patient with a Total Artificial Heart

Abstract

At our institution, the TAH has been identified as a valuable support to a select subgroup of individuals with end-stage heart disease as a bridge to transplantation. Length of implantation has varied from 1 to 48 days in the PUH series. Management of the care of the TAH-implanted patient requires a collaborative effort by nurses, physicians, and biomedical engineers. Nurses caring for the patient must have extensive knowledge of postoperative care of the high-risk cardiac surgical patient that is supplemented by the specialized knowledge of TAH function and monitoring. We have identified specialized components to the nursing care of the patient following TAH implantation. Monitoring for hemorrhage is important in the immediate postoperative period; anticoagulation and assessment of possible embolic events are later considerations. Knowledge of the relationship between TAH function and changing preload and afterload enhances the nurses' interpretation of COMDU and hemodynamic monitoring parameters, and is essential when applied to other nursing interventions, such as patient positioning and mobilization. Nursing-care measures to prevent atelectasis or consolidation are essential to prevention of pneumonia. Prevention of infection is crucial to facilitate transplantation. Practice of aseptic technique with particular care to drive-line insertion sites is necessary. Pain management, as well as nutritional and psychologic support, are important to promote patient well-being (a nursing-care plan is outlined in Table 1). The goals of all nursing-care measures are an improved perfusion state as offered by the TAH, prevention of possible complications associated with TAH implantation, and prevention of possible complications of critical illness and immobility. The desired outcome is a patient with a stabilized or improving condition prior to cardiac transplantation. It has been exciting to participate in the development of nursing-care guidelines for a patient population that has little precedent. The TAH creates a symbiotic relationship between man and machine, and nursing-care responsibilities have grown to encompass the mechanical aspects of this relationship. Satisfaction has increased as well, as the nurse is able to provide a specialized service in the provision of a life-saving therapy and be a vital element in the successful implementation of an artificial-heart program. As advances are made in the development of mechanical devices that assist or replace the human heart, ongoing evaluation and refinement of nursing care guidelines are essential.