The Spectrum Journal

Cardiothoracic surgery (CVTS) has evolved significantly over the past decades, with advances in surgical techniques, technology, and perioperative care. The role of the CVTS nurse has become increasingly vital, encompassing preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative patient management. This narrative review examines the evolving responsibilities, competencies, and challenges faced by CVTS nurses in modern cardiac and thoracic surgical care. A structured literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, focusing on studies published between 2010 and 2025. Inclusion criteria comprised articles describing the roles, training, and impact of CVTS nurses, while studies unrelated to surgical nursing or non-English publications were excluded. The review highlights key functions including patient assessment, hemodynamic monitoring, surgical assistance, pain management, patient education, and coordination of multidisciplinary care. Challenges such as workload, stress, and need for advanced training are discussed. The findings suggest that CVTS nurses are central to improving patient outcomes, optimizing recovery, and supporting surgical teams. Future directions emphasize formalized training programs, competency-based assessments, and recognition of CVTS nursing as a specialized profession.

Purpose: To compare the short-term efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) versus intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) in the management of diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods: A randomized, comparative, interventional study was conducted on 40 eyes of patients with DME, divided equally into two groups (n=20 each). Group 1 received 1.25 mg/0.05 mL IVB, while Group 2 received 4 mg/0.1 mL IVTA. Baseline characteristics, including age, sex, duration of diabetes, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and central macular thickness (CMT), were comparable between the groups. BCVA (logMAR) and CMT were assessed at baseline and at 1 month post-injection. Results: At 1 month, both groups demonstrated statistically significant improvement in BCVA and CMT compared to baseline (p Conclusion: A single intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide produces superior short-term improvements in visual acuity and macular thickness compared to bevacizumab in patients with DME. However, the associated risk of IOP elevation with IVTA requires careful post-injection monitoring.

Background: The arrival of a sibling is a major transition for the first child and may result in behavioral and emotional challenges. Parental knowledge and attitude play a crucial role in preparing the older child and minimizing sibling rivalry. Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of a self-instructional module on knowledge and attitude of parents regarding preparation of the first child for the arrival of a sibling. Methods: A pre-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test design was adopted among 100 parents at Pooja Nursing College, Bhandara, Maharashtra, from March 2024 to March 2025. Convenience sampling was used. Data were collected using a structured knowledge questionnaire and an attitude scale. A pre-test was conducted, followed by administration of the self-instructional module, and post-test data were collected after one week. Statistical analysis included descriptive and paired t-test for comparison. Results: In the pre-test, most parents had poor to average knowledge and neutral attitudes. Post-test findings showed significant improvement, with 68% achieving good knowledge and 63% demonstrating favorable attitudes. Paired t-test revealed a highly significant difference in mean knowledge and attitude scores (p Conclusion: The self-instructional module was effective in enhancing both knowledge and attitudes of parents, suggesting its potential utility in maternal and child health education programs to ease sibling transition.