Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained dysrhythmia and is characterised by disorganised atrial electrical activity and contraction resulting in an "irregularly irregular" ventricular response ("fibrillation waves")
Arrhythmias
An approach to arrhythmia, causes, classification and factors contributing to arrhythmogenesis
Arrhythmia Literature Summaries
Arrhythmia Literature Summaries
Afterload
Reviewed and revised 12/6/12 Afterload = left ventricular wall tension required to overcome resistance to ejection (impedance to ejection of blood from the heart into the arterial circulation). developed as ventricular muscle fibres shorten during isovolumetric contraction & ejection phases…
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the preferred emergency reperfusion strategy in most cases of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)
Acute Coronary Syndromes
Coronary artery disease accounts for > 30% of death in West and presents acutely as acute coronary syndromes. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a catch all term that refers to ischemic symptoms resulting from acute coronary occlusion
Acute Coronary Syndromes Literature Summaries
Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) Literature Summaries
Open Chest Management and Delayed Sternal Closure
Open Chest Management (OCM) and Delayed Sternal Closure (DSC) is used following 1-4% of surgical procedures involving cardiotomy in adults, and more commonly in paediatrics
Tunnel vision DDx
Tunnel vision refers to peripheral constriction of the visual fields. Differential diagnosis.
Underwater Seal Chest Drainage System
A system that allows drainage of the pleural space using an airtight system to maintain subatmospheric intrapleural pressure; the underwater seal acts a one-way valve
Intercostal Catheter (Chest Drain)
Intercostal Catheter (Chest Drain) tube inserted into pleural space to allow drainage of contents
Central Venous Catheters
Central Venous Catheter (CVC) is a cannula placed in a central vein (e.g. subclavian, internal jugular or femoral)