The proposal of this study was to verify the satisfaction of the cardiac surgery patients for Miocardial Revscularization and Valve Exchange, without complications, as to the nursing assistance received, in the immediate post-operatory recuperation phase in the Intensive Care Unit of a University Hospital for Cardiology.

The cohort included 74 adult patients, in conditions for verbal communication, in the late post-operatory phase and who accepted being part of the study, in the period from May to October, 2003.

The data collection was accomplished using a form comprising two parts, the first being on the characterization of the patient.

The second part of the form was composed of queries derived from measures included in the “Standards of Nursing Assistance” implemented at the referred to Unit, arranged in a Modified Likert-type scale with 5 (five) answer options (totally satisfied, partially satisfied, indifferent, partially dissatisfied, totally dissatisfied).

After obtaining the free and enlightened consent, the forms were ministered to 74 (100%) patients; 37 (50%) were men and 37 (50%), women.  The majority was married (43 – 58.1%); white (54 – 73%); Catholic (53 – 71%); resided in the City of de São Paulo (30 – 40.5%) and in countryside cities of the State (44 – 60%).

“Totally satisfied” was chosen in the answers relative to the assistance in the standards:  Respiratory, temperature, arterial pressure (72.39%); Cleansing of the superior aerial passages (65.87%); Risk of loss of the integrity of the skin (70.70%); Pain and risk of infection (74.00%); Risk of falling, traumas (68.10%); Sleep alterations (54.47%); Severing of family ties (81.80%); Maintenance of the level of consciousness (70.70%).

The evaluation of the satisfaction of the patients as to the received nursing assistance showed 70% of the answers “totally satisfied”, expressed in the results obtained, in the standards of the answers on basic human necessities.