The role of a nurse in a programme for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: impact on outcomes and patient experience

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Multidisciplinary TAVI programs are focused on improving patient-centred care. We compared outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) within a multidisciplinary programme including a nurse with those of patients in the standard programme. Methods: This single-centre observational retrospective study includes patients with severe aortic valve disease and a TAVI indication, with the goal of comparing a nurse programme with standard practice. In the TAVI nursing programme, the nurse has several key roles: patient and family education, comprehensive assessment and procedure planification, patient and family accompaniment, complications detection during admission and follow-up, and patient experience evaluation in the post-procedure period. Results: 154 patients were included: 87 in the nurse programme and 67 in standard practice groups, respectively. Men comprised 52.6%, with an average age of 81 years. Both groups achieved high procedure success without differences in mortality during admission and follow-up (median 13.4 months). The nurse programme group showed better functional class more frequently and had significantly fewer emergency department visits (11.8% vs. 31.3%) and less frequency of readmission (1.2% vs. 23.4%). The TAVI nurse group reported significantly higher overall satisfaction with the process (9.8 vs. 8.9 scores), with the information received and the nurse treatment being the best rated items. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary programme for patients undergoing TAVI, coordinated by nurses and based on comprehensive attention that places the patients at the centre of the process, is feasible and shows high patient satisfaction.