Alcoholic cardiomyopathy: a nursing approach.

When frequent hospital admissions of patients with acute congestive heart failure who also had alcoholic cardiomyopathy were observed at John Cochran Veterans Administration Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, nursing interventions were developed in an effort not only to reduce the frequency of hospitalizations but also to improve the patient's clinical condition. Over an 18-month period, 26 patients with alcoholic cardiomyopathy were followed in a modified bedrest program in the patients' homes. The program was individualized, based on each patient's stage of cardiomyopathy. Agressive nursing interventions reversed significantly (p less than .01) the condition in 14 patients. These patients' recovery prompted a one-year follow-up with continuing close medical and nursing support. Data showed significant (p less than .01) positive findings one year later.