Nursing implication for pulmonary artery balloon counterpulsation: a treatment for right ventricular dysfunction...

PPRVD is a phenomenon frequently observed in the operating room. Its development can be attributed to a single or many factors associated with cardiac operation. Namely, its presence is precipated by injury to the RV myocardium or changes in the normal hemodynamic functions of the RV. While PPRVD occurs in isolation, it is usually seen with concomitant LV dysfunction. When conventional medical management of LV dysfunction does not improve yet unmasks RV dysfunction, some type of ventricular assist device to support RV dysfunction may be needed to wean patients from cardiopulmonary bypass such as PABC. PABC has been demonstrated to be useful in the management of mild to moderate PPRVD and weaning from CPB. Severe PPRVD has not been demonstrated to benefit from PABC. The major concern in managing PPRVD is the lack of quantifiable criteria for determining levels of RV injury. Research is continuing in this area. Likewise, investigations are under way to develop a transvenous PABC catheter. This catheter would allow for increased PABC use as it would not require surgical placement or removal. The present PABC model could potentially be used in any hospital that uses conventional intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation. The patient presented in this case was cared for in a 350-bed community hospital in the Northeast section of the United States. A PABC patient can present a unique nursing challenge. It is hoped that this article will assist nurses in the future management of these patients.