Implementing a Mobility Program for Pretransplant Patients With Femoral Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump: A Nurse-Led...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Critical Care Medicine
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Heart failure presents a significant public health challenge, often necessitating mechanical circulatory support like the femoral intra-aortic balloon pump (f-IABP) for cardiogenic shock patients awaiting transplantation.
• Conventional management for f-IABP patients mandates strict bedrest, contributing to muscle deconditioning and functional deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate a nurse-led, modified Ramsey protocol assessing the safety and feasibility of early mobility in patients with f-IABP.
• To determine the impact of early mobility on patient outcomes, including length of stay and discharge disposition.

Main Methods:

• A quality improvement project involving 62 patients with f-IABP, implementing a protocol of verticalization and structured ambulation.
• Data collection focused on intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay, adverse events, and discharge destination.

Main Results:

• The nurse-led mobility protocol demonstrated minimal complications across patient groups (verticalization only vs. ambulation).
• Patients who ambulated showed improved post-transplant recovery and higher rates of discharge to home.

Conclusions:

• Nurse-led early mobility programs are safe and feasible for critically ill cardiac patients requiring f-IABP.
• Integrating early mobility into standard care for this population may enhance functional preservation and postoperative recovery.