Ruolo dell'infermiere professionale nella gestione del paziente con insufficienza cardiaca cronica in riabilitazione cardiologica

On the basis of the results of pathophysiological and controlled clinical studies, cardiac rehabilitation is now recognized as an effetive therapeutic intervention in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Achieving clinical stability, optimizing medical therapy, education and counseling regarding lifestyle changes, implementing an exercise training programme, and ensuring an adequate follow-up are the core components of cardiac rehabilitation in CHF. Cardiologists, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, and dietitians, all aim at the achievement of such objectives. Education and counseling of patients with CHF are essential aspects of patient care as they can improve the clinical and functional outcome of such patients. In this setting, specially trained nurses may play a pivotal role. An organized plan of patient education and counseling should include explanation of the disease and dietary and exercise regimen recommendations; in addition, the patients should be taught the name of each drug and its purpose, dosage, frequency, and significant side effects.