Articles Archive - Page 9 of 13

ECG Interpretation in Myocardial Ischemia

Approach to ECG Interpretation Step 1: Rate – The normal range of heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute.Bradycardia is present if the rate is less than 60 beats per minute andtachycardia is present if the rate is greater than 100 beats per minute. Step 2: Rhythm – Locate the P waves. All leads should be […]

Hypokalemia and Hyperkalemia

Potassium Homeostasis Potassium blood level is dependent on the association between dietary potassium intake, the distribution of potassium between the cells and extracellular fluid, and urinary potassium excretion.1 Potassium secretion is dictated by an increase in the serum potassium concentration, a rise in plasma aldosterone concentration, and enhanced delivery of sodium and water to the distal […]

Symptomatic Bradycardia Causes and Treatment

Bradycardia Overview What is bradycardia? The National Institutes of Health defines bradycardia* as a heart rate <60 bpm in adults other than well-trained athletes.9 The determination on whether or not treatment is necessary for bradycardic events is generally based on the presence of bradycardia symptoms. The clinical manifestations of bradycardia can vary widely from insidious symptoms […]

Atrial Fibrillation

What is atrial fibrillation? Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an abnormal rhythm caused by the rapid firing of multiple cells in the atria, the upper chambers of the heart, which cause the atria to quiver ineffectively. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice and is associated with increased risk […]

Laryngeal Mask Airways (LMAs)

Multiple airways devices exist that are used to help oxygenate and ventilate a patient in an emergency or a controlled setting. One set of products is called supraglottic airways devices (SAD). Supraglottic airways sit above or around the glottic opening and do not go any further into the airway. SADs are devices that keep the […]

nurse practicing intubation on a practice dummy

Endotracheal Intubation via Direct Laryngoscopy

Endotracheal intubation can be successfully accomplished by video laryngoscopy (VL), flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopes, surgical techniques, and the classic direct laryngoscopy (DL), among others. DL has been the approach most commonly used by providers and has been utilized in operating rooms, emergency departments, ambulances, and intensive care units throughout the healthcare arena. Successful laryngoscopy involves the […]

Mask Ventilation

There is considerable evidence that a variety of health care professionals do not consistently provide adequate bag valve mask (BVM) ventilation (BVMV).1 Ineffective BVMV may not only result in a failure to achieve cardiopulmonary stability, but also may complicate the patient’s condition.8 For example, hyperventilating a patient can cause gastric distension, which increases the risk of regurgitation, […]

Pericardial Effusion and Tamponade

The pericardium is composed of visceral and parietal components. The visceral pericardium is a serosal monolayer that adheres firmly to the epicardium, reflects over the origin of the great vessels, and together with a tough, fibrous parietal layer, envelops the heart.10 The pericardial space enclosed between the two serosal layers normally contains up to 50 mL […]

Biomarkers of Cardiac Injury

The diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) involves multiple clinical tools including physical assessment, ECG, and the evaluation of cardiac biomarkers. Electrocardiography produces a physiological signal that is frequently used for diagnosing heart problems, but it is incapable of adequately diagnosing AMI8. Myoglobin, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB), and cardiac troponin […]