POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS OF CARDIAC SURGERY IN ADULT PATIENTS: SCOPING REVIEW

Abstract

Objective: To assess the main complications in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery in adult patients. Materials and Methods: Scoping review based on the following research question: what are the main complications that occur postoperatively in adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery? The review followed the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. The search was conducted in the months of December 2019 and January 2020 in the following data sources: CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and LILACS, CAPES Catalogue for Theses and Dissertations, Portugal Open Access Scientific Repository (RCAAP), National Library of Australia (Trove), Europe E-Theses Portal (DART), Electronic Theses Online Service (EThOS), National Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD portal), and Theses Canada. Results: The search process resulted in 25,237 documents. 150 publications were selected for pre-analysis and the final sample consisted of 21 studies. Adult patients underwent isolated myocardial revascularization (21; 100%), isolated valve surgery (16; 76.19%), myocardial revascularization combined with valve surgery (8; 38.10%) and surgery to correct congenital diseases (6; 28.57%). Infectious, neurological, cardiovascular, renal and urinary, respiratory, digestive and hydroelectrolytic complications, among others, were identified. Conclusions: The analyzed studies showed different incidence rates regarding complications. Complications should be considered and studied by the nursing team in order to better understand the factors related to their occurrence, as well as to help prevent and control them.