Very interesting considering I have been a cardiac nurse for near 10 years and have always been told and observed that a cardiac catheterization is the only “real” way to visualize blockages in the heart…
A study by an international team of cardiac imaging specialists, led by researchers at Johns Hopkins, concludes that sophisticated computed tomography (CT) scans of the heart and its surrounding arteries are almost as reliable and accurate as more invasive procedures to check for blockages.
The 64 slice CT scan that the researcher’s are talking about was first introduced in the US in 2005 and was tested …read more

All righty then. I found research out of UT Southwestern Medical Center that is a bit taboo. They have found a drug that can counteract the symptoms associated with a cocaine overdose. That handy little drug is most often seen in the operating room or ICU’s and is used as a anesthetic. And it’s name… dexmedetomidine.
They found that the drug was effective in reversing the actions of cocaine on heart rate, blood pressure and vascular resistance in the skin by interfering with the ability of cocaine to increase nerve activity. “Typically, patients with cocaine overdoses in …read more

As a cardiac nurse, I see many procedures and types of treatments that question “ethics”. You know that whole quantity or quality? The thing is there is so much technology and advances in medications that we can keep a very sick heart going for a very long time. Is that to say that very same heart is effectively working without discomfort, compromising one’s lifestyle, hospitalizations and every day worries? No, not at all.
Researchers found that 16 percent of these patients reported refusing one or more medical or surgical interventions recommended by their physician. The most frequently …read more

Here is a little quizey-poo with my ever so lovely hubby. Let’s see how much info he has absorbed through the years of living with this cardiac nurse…
1. What is a MI?
Myocardial Infarction- right oh!
2. What is a normal cholesterol number?
low 100 to mid 100’s- he is so good!
3. What is a normal triglyceride number?
what are they?- oh brother.
4. What is Plavix?
is it a blood thinner?- very surprising!
5. Who dies more from heart attacks, men or women?
I think it is men, but the answer might be women. I know that African American’s die …read more

This is a little venting on my part today. Call it my therapy for the week. Do you want to know what bothers cardiac nurses more than anything? Patients that come in with heart attacks, chest pain, in cardiac arrest, or CHF and their toxicology screen is a big fat positive! Uh huh. And you know, it is always a mix and match of illegal drugs. It’s never just one. No, they have to mix cocaine with pot with heroin.
Now these are the same patients that can’t understand why they had a heart …read more

The great state of Maryland… that would be where I reside. Well, we have now joined the likes of 20 other states across the US with a ban on smoking law that was made official last week by our Governor O’Malley. Don’t get me started on politics and our fearless leader, I won’t go there with you, but I am a fan of this law. Being a cardiac nurse, I applaud anything that aides in the cessation of cigarette smoking.
The law requires bars and restaurants, as well as private clubs such as American Legion and Veterans …read more