The Effect of Early Ambulation on Hemodynamic and Perfusion Indices Post Cardiac Surgery

Abstract

Delayed mobilization of cardiac surgical patients (CSPs) postoperatively is a huge challenge for critical care nurses (CCNs). Early ambulation (EA) is a vital task with a significant priority of nursing practice in critical care units (ICUs). CCNs’ awareness of EA value for CSPs’ outcomes is the main concern. The inclusive aim of EA is to sustain hemodynamic stability and adequate organ perfusion. The current study aimed to examine the effect of EA on hemodynamic and perfusion indices post cardiac surgery. Sixty adult patients of both sexes undergoing cardiac surgery were involved in this study. Then they assigned randomly into two groups; EA group and hospital care (HC) group. Data were collected using one tool which encompasses three parts containing the patient preoperative basic health data, hemodynamic indices record and perfusion indices record. The findings presented that peripheral pulse (PP) and heart rates were decreased tenuously among the EA patients compared with HC patients. However, the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were increased significantly in EA group than HC group post ambulation compared with preoperative readings. Additionally, perfusion indices were increased among the EA patients and HC patients post mobilization compared with preoperative readings. The current study showed that EA has better effect on the patients hemodynamic and perfusion indices postoperatively. Thus, CCNs should give a high priority to plan EA schedule when caring for CSPs. Furthermore, there is a need for EA algorithms in ICUs.