A randomized control trial to assess the effects of a preoperative education program on comfort, anxiety and patient–ventilator synchrony among post CTVS surgery patients admitted in the CTVS department at AIIMS, New Delhi.

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured preoperative education program on comfort, anxiety, and patient–ventilator synchrony among patients undergoing elective cardiothoracic and vascular surgery (CTVS) at AIIMS, New Delhi. Preoperative anxiety and postoperative discomfort are common in cardiac surgery patients and are known to contribute to patient–ventilator asynchrony, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and adverse ICU outcomes. The study seeks to generate evidence to support non-pharmacological, nurse-led interventions that enhance perioperative care.

A quantitative randomized controlled design will be adopted. Adult patients aged 18–60 years scheduled for elective CTVS procedures and expected to require postoperative mechanical ventilation will be enrolled after obtaining informed consent. Eligible participants will be randomly allocated to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive a structured, nurse-delivered preoperative education program 24–48 hours before surgery, covering the ICU environment, mechanical ventilation, postoperative expectations, coping strategies, and breathing exercises, while the control group will receive routine care. Postoperatively, comfort and anxiety will be assessed using validated self-structured questionnaires, and patient–ventilator synchrony will be evaluated using the asynchrony index. Data will be analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics to determine the effectiveness of the intervention.