Under the supervision of the physician, the nurse will be responsible for most of the perioperative care of the patient. As a result, the nurse must be aware of any and all complications that may arise and must also know how to assist the patient with treatment and management of these medical issues. Some of the common complications that transapical aortic valve implantation patients experience and how they should be treated are as follows:
Allergic reaction to contrast material -- Patients should always be screened for allergies beforehand, but if an allergic reaction should occur, the nurse should administer steroids, antihistamines and other airway protection measures.
Infection -- Prescreening should always take place before the procedure. A complete history of the patient's health should be documented along with a dental infections or conditions. After the surgery, the incision should be inspected by the nurse at least twice daily for signs of infection. If an infection...
However, the success rate can be relatively high if the surgical team performing the operation and the nurse providing the post operative care are both highly trained. It is also important that the patient follow the instructions after discharge to ensure that the recuperation period is speedy and without complications.
Bibliography
McRae, Marion E., Rodger, Marnie, and Barbara A. Bailey. (2009). Transcatheter and transapical aortic valve replacement. Critical Care Nurse, 29(1), 22-37.
Walther, Thomas et. al, (2009). Transapical aortic valve implantation: Step-by-step. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 87, 276-283.
