Dumont, C.J., Keeling, A.W., Bourguignon, C., Sarembock,

Dumont, C.J., Keeling, A.W., Bourguignon, C., Sarembock, I.J., and Turner, M.

"Diagnostic cardiac catheterization and percutaneous coronary interventions."

Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, Vol. 25, No. 3.

In general, nurses are responsible for the postoperative care of patients after cardiac catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention procedures. The consequences of postoperative complications can be extremely serious. Therefore, it is essential that research be conducted to correctly identify the specific risk factors for vascular complications associated with both of these procedures so that effective protocols can be developed to enable nurses to mitigate those risks as much as possible.

Purpose Statement

The purpose of this research study is to establish baseline data detailing the incidence and types of the vascular complications experienced by patients during the postoperative-care phase of cardiac catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention procedures. This study is intended to identify and quantify the relative significance of risk predictors for complications following these types of procedures and to determine the patient demographic, comorbidity, and procedural variables that are statistically relevant to predicting clinical vascular access complications.

Jerlock, M., Gaston-Johansson, F., and Danielson, E. "Living with unexplained chest pain." Journal of Clinical Nursing, Vol. 14 (2005): 956 -- 964.

Problem Statement

In general, patients suffering from chronic cardiovascular and circulatory issues experience chronic chest pains associated with those conditions, but unidentifiable chest pains are also a common reason for emergency room visits by patients without any identifiable clinical cause. There is a gap in the available literature detailing the precise source of much of those pains and the way and extent to which everyday life events and circumstances cause or exacerbate those types of symptoms. Therefore, it would be beneficial to better understand any connections between lifestyle and life experiences and their symptoms as part of a comprehensive lifestyle and symptom management protocol.

Purpose Statement