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Aims Early mobilization is associated with improved outcomes in hospitalized older patients. We sought to determine the effect of a nurse-led protocol on mobilization 4 h after transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) across different units of care. Methods and results We conducted a prospective observational cohort single-centre study of consecutive patients. We implemented a standardized protocol for safe early recovery and progressive mobilization in the critical care and cardiac telemetry units. We measured the time to first mobilization and conducted descriptive statistics to identify patient and system barriers to timely ambulation. We recruited 139 patients (82.5 years, SD = 6.7; 46% women). At baseline, patients who were mobilized early (≤4 h) and late (>4 h) did not differ, except for higher rates of diabetes (25.5% vs. 43.9%, P = 0.032) and peripheral arterial disease (8.2% vs. 26.8%, P = 0.003) in the late mobilization group. The median time to mobilization was 4 h [inter-quartile range (IQR) 3.25, 4]; 98 patients (70.5%) were mobilized successfully after 4 h of bedrest; 118 (84.9%) were walking by the evening of the procedure (<8 h bedrest); and 21 (15.1%) were on bedrest overnight and mobilized the following day. Primary reasons for overnight bedrest were arrhythmia monitoring (n = 10, 7.2%) and haemodynamic and/or neurological instability (n = 6, 4.3%); six patients (4.3%) experienced delayed ambulation due to system issues. Procedure location in the hybrid operating room and transfer to critical care were associated with longer bedrest times. Conclusion Standardized nurse-led mobilization 4 h after TF TAVI is feasible in the absence of clinical complications and system barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) is a minimally invasive treatment option for patients with severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation who are at increased risk for cardiac surgery and are receiving optimal medical therapy. Little is known about patients' perspectives on their journey of care, including their experiences leading up to treatment and their early recovery period. The aim of this study was to explore patients' experiences of their journey to TEER and their perspectives on early recovery. Methods and results We conducted a qualitative study using interpretive description. A purposive sample of 12 patients from a purposive sample, 3–6 monthspost-TEER procedure, were recruited from a tertiary hospital. The median age of the patients was 79 years, with seven males and five females. Data collection included semi-structured interviews over the phone. Data analysis followed an iterative process and utilized thematic analysis. There were four central themes highlighting the experiences of the patients leading up to their procedure: (i) escalating challenges with everyday life; (ii) plummeting losses; (iii) choosing and readiness to proceed with TEER; and (iv) the long and uncertain waiting time. The theme-improved health status highlights the experiences of patients in their early recovery. Conclusion Patients' experiences of waiting for TEER are complex and involve multifaceted challenges related to their worsening cardiac symptoms and navigating the healthcare system. Therefore, care pathways must be put in place to provide continuity of care and support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]