Parental experience of hypoglossal nerve stimulator implantation in adolescents with Down Syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the experience of parents in deciding whether to participate in a clinical trial of the insertion of the Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator (HNS) to treat their adolescent with Down Syndrome (DS) and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

Design And Methods: A qualitative descriptive design with interviews was used to gather parental experiences from those who consented to HNS for their adolescent with DS and OSA. Interviews were conducted, audiotaped, and transcribed.

Developmental and Initial Validation of the Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Symptom Inference Scale.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a chronic illness that produces multiple symptoms and impairs quality of life.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the initial psychometric properties of the Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Symptom Interference Scale (PAHSIS).

Methods: Participants completed a sociodemographic and clinical data form: the PAHSIS and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36).

Symptom Interference Severity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Context: While assessing symptom severity is an important component of evaluating symptoms, understanding those symptoms that interfere with patients' lives is also key. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic disease resulting in right heart failure and increased mortality. Patients with PAH experience multiple symptoms but we do not know which symptoms and to what extent their symptoms interfere with daily life.

Understanding the challenges during transitions of care for children with critical airway conditions.

Purpose: The specific aim of this qualitative descriptive study was to gain an understanding of the challenges occurring during transitions of care between two institutions for children with critical airway conditions.

Methods: Qualitative descriptive methodology was utilized to analyze data from two focus groups conducted with nurses from two adjacent institutions.

Results: The focus groups were composed of 19 staff nurses, three case managers, one clinical nurse specialist and two nurse directors.

Symptom Prevalence, Symptom Severity, and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Young, Middle, and Older Adults With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic, life threatening illness that affects primarily women. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of PAH symptoms and to determine whether there are differences in symptom severity and HRQOL in PAH symptoms among young, middle, and older adults with PAH. A cross sectional design was utilized.

Development and initial psychometric properties of the Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Symptom Scale (PAHSS).

Aims: The aim of this study is to report the development and psychometric properties of the Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Symptom Scale (PAHSS).

Background: Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) experience multiple symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue and chest pain, yet there is no comprehensive, validated symptom assessment tool to date.

Methods: This study used a cross sectional design.

Sleep disturbance, symptoms, psychological distress, and health-related quality of life in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating disease characterized by elevated pulmonary pressures that lead to right heart failure and premature mortality. Patients experience multiple symptoms including dyspnea, fatigue and chest pain, but little is known about sleep disturbance, PAH symptoms, psychological distress and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in PAH.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to describe the occurrence of sleep disturbance and compare PAH symptoms, psychological distress, and HRQOL across severity of sleep disturbance.

New pharmacologic treatments for familial hypercholesterolemia.

Familial hypercholesterolemias are a group of genetic disorders that cause high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which can lead to atherosclerosis and premature coronary heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in U.S.

Cyber support: describing concerns of caregivers of people with pulmonary hypertension.

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of how caregivers of people with pulmonary hypertension are using an online discussion board. The chronicity and complex medical needs of people with pulmonary hypertension warrant a holistic nursing approach combining the patient and caregiver concerns to adequately address their needs. A qualitative descriptive approach was utilized.

Health-related quality of life and psychological states in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic illness that impairs physical function and leads to right-sided heart failure and premature death. There is limited knowledge on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and psychological states in patients with PAH.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the HRQOL and the psychological states of patients with PAH along with predictors of HRQOL.

A virtual community: concerns of patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is a complex disorder characterized by elevated pressures in the pulmonary artery that cause right heart failure and eventually leads to death. Treatment regimens can be complex and mortality is high. The purpose of this study was to determine how people with PH are using an online Discussion Board.

Student perceptions of sudden cardiac arrest: a qualitative inquiry.

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the number one cause of death in young athletes in high school and university settings. Survival and outcomes of SCA is dependent on appropriate recognition of symptoms and immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), along with a shock from an automatic external defibrillator (AED). The three aims of the authors' study presented in this article were: to describe university students' perceptions and beliefs about sudden cardiac arrest, to describe university students' understanding of an AED and their level of preparedness to recognize and respond to a life threatening emergency event, and to identify university students' experiences of responding to handling life-threatening emergency events.

Cluster analysis of symptoms in pulmonary arterial hypertension: a pilot study.

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by elevated pulmonary artery pressures leading to right heart failure and death.

Aims: The aim of this study was to use cluster analysis to describe the symptom profile in PAH and differences in the health outcomes of health status, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychological states in the cluster groups.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used.

Symptom experience of pulmonary arterial hypertension patients.

Purpose: To describe symptoms experienced by pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) patients and the impact these symptoms have had on their lives.

Method: Qualitative descriptive methodology was chosen incorporating semistructured interviews to investigate the symptom experience of ten patients with PAH.

Results: All patients were diagnosed with WHO Group 1 PAH and 70% were WHO functional Class III.

The experiences and concerns of young adults (18-40 years) living with an implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).

Background: Although the implanted cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a widely accepted life-saving technology, adjusting to life after ICD implantation may vary according to the recipient's age. Few studies have investigated how young adults manage life with an ICD and there are no studies describing their concerns or experiences of living with an ICD.

Aim: The aim of the study was to describe the experiences and concerns of young adults (18-40 years) living with an ICD.