Heart failure guidelines and implications for surgically treating heart failure

Validation of a protocol to assist patients with intra-aortic balloon

OBJECTIVE: To develop a protocol of care for patients with Intra-Aortic Balloon and validate the content of this protocol. METHODS: Study of quantitative and descriptive approach. The methodology followed three steps: development of the instrument; content validity and reliability verification of the protocol for the analysis of agreement between specialists with greater experience. The study included 48 specialists, including physicians and nurses experienced in patient care in use of balloon. Items considered valid achieved at least 75% of consensus before the analysis of agreement between evaluators. RESULTS: We evaluated 36 items, of these, 20 were considered valid. The reliability was also verified, using consistency of the responses of more experienced evaluators. Among the items submitted to new statistical analysis by these evaluators, only two were considered valid. CONCLUSION: Based on the content validation, a protocol with 22 items concerning patient care without the use of intra-aortic balloon was developed.