Alteraciones hemodinámicas del paciente crítico cardiovascular durante la realización del baño diario Hemodynamic changes of patients with cardiovascular diseases during the daily bath

Objective: to evaluate the hemodynamic changes that occur during the performance of bath on a cardiovascular post-operatory patient. Methods: a quasi-experimental study (pre and post) in which 36 patients were included from the Intensive Care Unit and Special Care Unit of La Clinica del Rosario, Medellin, between April and July 2009. Hemodynamic changes were determined during the bath through parametric or nonparametric tests, according to the distribution of variables. Results: 64% of patients were male, mean age was 59.7 ± 11.2 years. Most of the patients underwent sponge bath (94.3%). 78% of patients were extubated. The most frequent postoperative diagnosis was coronary revascularization (70%). Abnormalities were observed in systolic blood pressure values and respiratory rate, according to the evaluation period (p value= 0.017 and p value <0.0001, respectively), an increase of systolic blood pressure during the bath (p value= 0.010), and an increased respiratory rate after the bath (p value= 0.008). Conclusions: although there were changes in systolic blood pressure and respiratory rate, these did not represent any important clinical disorder.