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Psychophysiological responses after sudden cardiac arrest during hospitalization
1Seattle Veterans Administration Medical Center, WA 98108, USA.
Applied Nursing Research : ANR
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Sudden cardiac arrest survivors experienced high denial and uncertainty, with memory loss and impaired construction ability common at discharge. Emotional distress was generally low during hospitalization, while arrhythmias decreased over time.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a critical event requiring intensive hospitalization.
- Understanding patient recovery trajectories, including emotional, cognitive, and physiological aspects, is crucial for comprehensive care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess emotional, cognitive, and physiological recovery parameters in sudden cardiac arrest survivors during hospitalization.
- To identify common psychological and cognitive challenges faced by SCA survivors.
Main Methods:
- Interviewed 21 sudden cardiac arrest survivors every 48 hours during their hospital stay.
- Monitored emotional states (anxiety, depression, anger, confusion), cognitive functions (memory, construction ability), and physiological parameters (arrhythmias, interventions).
Main Results:
- Survivors reported low levels of anxiety, depression, anger, and confusion, but high levels of denial and uncertainty.
- Short-term memory loss and impaired construction ability were the most prevalent cognitive deficits at hospital discharge.
- Cardiac arrhythmias and the interventions used to manage them decreased as patients neared discharge.
Conclusions:
- Sudden cardiac arrest recovery involves significant psychological and cognitive challenges, notably denial and uncertainty.
- Cognitive impairments, particularly memory and construction abilities, persist until hospital discharge.
- Physiological recovery is marked by a reduction in cardiac arrhythmias and interventions during the hospitalization period.