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 at Johns Hopkins. Beware though, they are not saying that the CT scans will replace cardiac cath’s but to rule out patients that do not need the more invasive procedure. The 64 slice CT scan also proved to be a good predictor of patients that will need catheterizations in the future.

via Science Daily

Post from: Blisstree

64 Slice CT Scan Proves To Be Effective In Detecting Heart Blockages That Would Otherwise Look To Heart Catheterizations

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 the emergency room are treated with nitroglycerin, sedatives such as Valium, and some blood-pressure medications such as calcium channel blockers and some beta blockers,” Dr. Vongpatanasin said. “However, the standard treatments don’t alleviate all of the adverse effects of cocaine on the heart, blood pressure and central nervous system.”

What do you think about this kind of research? Do you think it is warranted or do you see it as a “waste” of money and time? Being a cardiac nurse, I see the ramifications of cocaine use and the long term effects that it has on patients. And since I have always been taught to treat all my patients the same, I do indeed. But I sometimes get perplexed over the amount of research and trial studies there are out there that are geared towards drug abusers and overdose patients.

But supply and demand, right? If there wasn’t a need, the research wouldn’t be done. I guess it says a little something about the “signs of the times”!

via Science Daily

Post from: Blisstree

New Treatment Combats Cocaine Induced Symptoms

Researchers found that 16 percent of these patients reported refusing one or more medical or surgical interventions recommended by their physician. The most frequently refused interventions were cardiac catheterization and surgery, with refusal rates of over 10 percent. Other interventions refused included chemotherapy, radiation, intubation, dialysis, and transplantation. Hospitalization was rarely refused.

I can not count the amount of times I sent a very elderly, frail, compromised, extremely sick and helpless patient off to open heart surgery, let alone stress tests and catheterizations. And what I really wanted to do was say, “You are the boss of yourself. You make the final decisions and can say no to anything you want to. If you were my Grandfather, I would say don’t do it”. But I don’t, at least not for the most part.

What do you think about the quality versus quantity? And what do you think about getting second opinions and saying no to physicians? Would you feel comfortable questioning a clinician? I am always amazed at how patients hold them up high and feel like they have no say in the situation. When it should be them who are being held way up high. Be your own advocate. Don’t you think?

via Science Daily

Post from: Blisstree

Refusal Of Cardiac Procedures By The Elder Population Common

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 more from cardiac problems- he actually listens to me, the answer is women in 2007!

6. Where does cholesterol come from?

animals- what a good boy!

Wow, he surprised me, he must actually pay attention to all my ramblings and stories. I am so happy, now if I could get him to exercise everyday with me, we would be set! Baby steps though, baby steps!

Post from: Blisstree

A Hearty Quiz… See How Many Answers You Know!

Now these are the same patients that can’t understand why they had a heart attack at the ripe ol’ age of 28 and don’t understand why they can’t go out to the corner to have a smoke with a peripheral line inserted directly into their vein. Hello people???? Are you kidding me.

And then these very same patients are vomiting, shaking. sweating and crying for their mommies because they are starting withdrawal. Which by the way, is no fun at all! I can attest to that. I have seen it countless times and it is never pretty.

So instead of this cardiac nurse taking care of her sick and end stage diseased patients, she is stuck in the room with the big ol’ baby that is going through something that he brought on all by himself. These other patients didn’t ask to have cardiomyopathy and be on heart transplant lists and be fighting for their lives at 58 years old. They are sick and deserve my attention.

I know I took that oath and all, and I try to treat all my patients the same. But the drug abuse, nasty, verbally abusive, physically assaulting patients that are taking up one of our beds to detox after inducing a heart attack due to partying make it darn hard, you know?

What do you think about this? Would you be upset if your loved one was sharing a room with someone that was throwing things, cursing and hitting their nurses because they didn’t want to be in the hospital after coming in via 911 and cardiac arrest? Would you feel safe leaving them there in that room? Just something to think about. Sometimes us nurses have to let it out, or else we would cry!

Post from: Blisstree

Do You Want To Know What Bothers A Cardiac Nurse?

The law requires bars and restaurants, as well as private clubs such as American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars halls, to be smoke-free by Feb. 1. Some businesses eligible for financial hardship waivers from the state would get a three-year extension but must be smoke-free by 2011. With the law signed, tobacco shops are virtually the only public indoor places where smoking will be allowed in Maryland.

Am I worried that my job will be affected by a law that prohibits smoking in public places? Heck no. Do I think that it will be nicer to go out and eat at restaurants and pubs with my family? Yes! There will be none of the second hand smoke emanating from my clothes and my kid’s hair, and no embarrassing comments from my kids about, “They are smoking, do they know it is bad for them and it will KILL them”?

We all know about the risk of heart disease and smoking, I will not bore you with the numbers, but it will be interesting if someone does a second hand smoke study in a few years. After the ban has been in effect for some time.

“It’s no longer fashionable to be smoking,” House Speaker Michael E. Busch said after yesterday’s bill-signing ceremony, at which he and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller joined O’Malley. “When I was growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, it was a different thing – you were strange if you didn’t smoke. But now there’s no longer a question about the carcinogenic effect of tobacco. Jurisdictions around the state were already starting to do it. States around the country were already doing it. The time had come.”

Do you think that this type of law infringes upon your rights? Do you welcome this, or see it as a hindrance? How do you feel it will affect cardiac disease in the near future, if at all?

via Baltimore Sun

Post from: Blisstree

Will The Ban On Smoking In Maryland Lead To A Heartier Life?