Sensations during removal of epicardial pacing wires after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

BackgroundOne procedure that is commonly performed after coronary artery bypass graft surgery is removal of epicardial pacing wires (EPWs). Currently, there is a paucity of information regarding the sensations experienced by patients during this procedure.ObjectiveTo determine the sensations commonly reported by patients during EPW removal.MethodsA secondary analysis was performed on data sets from 2 previous studies to determine the sensations commonly experienced by patients during EPW removal. The sample consisted of 144 subjects from 2 teaching hospitals.ResultsThe most commonly reported sensation during EPW removal was a “mild to moderate pulling” sensation.ConclusionThis secondary analysis provides important information regarding the sensations most commonly reported by patients during EPW removal. This sensory information could be incorporated into a psycho-educational information intervention to prepare patients for EPW removal.