Cardiac transplantion: demographic and epidemiological patients' profile at a large hospital in Belo Horizonte

perfil demográfico e epidemiológico de pacientes em um hospital de grande porte em Belo Horizonte

Abstract

Human to human cardiac transplantation is an alternative for the treatment of illnesses previously with no cure and Nursing kept up with the developments in the cardiac specialty. The nursing process based on Horta's "theory of basic human needs provided" from 2003, the basis for the assistance of heart transplant patients in that hospital's research unit. This is a descriptive and retrospective study aiming to outline a demographic and epidemiological profile of these patients. 49 nursing reports (included on medical records) of patients submitted to heart transplants between 2003 and 2006 were evaluated. The results showed the majority of patients were married man, catholic, retired, with an incomplete Basic Education, and from the city of Belo Horizonte. The prevailing underlying disease was chagasic cardiomyopathy. The study's results could be the basis for the planning of nursing strategies and preventive actions to heart failure underlying diseases directed to that specific part of the population