The study aimed to analyze the available evidence in the literature on nursing care
in the hospital post-cardiac surgery. Data were collected from electronic databases
LILACS, SciELO, MEDLINE, via DeCS thoracic surgery, hospital, nursing care, in the
period 2001 to 2011. Ten articles were selected that showed the need to develop a
plan of nursing discharge focusing on prevention of complications and coping with
physical limitations resulting from heart surgery. Thus, the discharge should be
considered from the time of admission, with carefully planned actions involving
patient and family.