Abstract
Examines research studies, the use of anti-arrhythmic drugs and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in addition to treating the underlying disease, and the potential harm of drug treatments. Describes a literature review on the topic.

From the Paper
"Pharmacological vs. Automatic Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator in Treatment of Ventricular Tachycardia and/or Ventricular Fibrillation.
Introduction
Patients continue to die each year from ventricular arrhythmia, accounting for less than 1 percent..."

Abstract
This paper proposes a study that would look at the use of implantable pacemakers and anti-arrhythmia devices in heart patients. The paper includes a review of literature on the topic and an outline of study.

From the Paper
"The purpose of this project is to look at the use of pacemakers and anti-arrhythmia devices in heart patients. Because of new guidelines it is necessary to review the use of these devices in patients in which they are now being used and carefully screen new patients to see if they would benefit from the devices. The population that will benefit from this project is patients being considered for implantation with pacemakers and anti-arrhythmia devices."

Tags:pacemaker, cardiovert defibrillator, arrhythmia, tachyarrhythmia, atrial fibrillation

Abstract
The paper presents a case study involving a 32 year-old mother of two children diagnosed with long QT syndrome. The paper explains that long QT syndrome is a congenital condition that can result in sudden arrhythmia death syndrome (SADS), where sudden death occurs as a result of cardiac arrest. The paper illustrates the educational techniques that are effective for family members of those diagnosed with long QT syndrome. The paper then focuses on strategies for grief management that involve guided imagery and visualization techniques.

Outline:
Case Study
Long QT Syndrome
Interventions Concerning Loss and Grief

From the Paper
"Long QT syndrome is a congenital that can result in sudden arrhythmia death syndrome (SADS), where sudden death occurs as a result of cardiac arrest. Although rare, deaths from SADS, including those attributed to long QT syndrome, are not accompanied with any anatomic abnormality, which can make prediction and prevention very difficult (Meyer, Mehdirad, Salem, Kulikowska, Kulikowski, & Jamry, 2003). Long QT syndrome is characterized by arrhythmias that are associated with prolongation of the electrocardiographic QT interval, and it is also associated with hereditary genetic defects that affect the cardiac ion channels."

Tags:loss, bereavement, guided, imagery, visualization

Abstract
This paper explains that, in the beginning of chronic renal failure, there are virtually no symptoms; however, the progression of the disease can cause an increase in blood pressure, an accumulation of potassium in the blood, an accumulation of urea, anemia, fatigue, an overload of fluid volume, cardiac arrhythmia and vascular calcification. The author points out that, at end-stage of renal disease, renal replacement therapy, such as kidney dialysis and even kidney transplant, is required to keep the patient alive. The paper relates that patients with chronic renal failure also have a high incidence of atherosclerosis, which usually accelerates at a faster rate, and of cardiovascular disease, which has a prognosis that is not as good as someone without chronic renal failure.

From the Paper
"Sometimes, the levels of serum creatinine have not been measured in the past, and therefore the patient is often first treated as having acute renal failure. Only when blood tests continue to show elevated serum creatinine levels and it is determined that the renal failure is irreversible will the diagnosis be made as chronic renal failure as opposed to the previously assumed acute renal failure. A numerous amount of uremic toxins also accumulate in individuals that have chronic renal failure and are involved in the treatment of standard dialysis."

Tags:creatinine, irreversible, albumin, nephropathy, filter

Abstract
This paper gives an overview of pericarditis including an etiology of the disease (infection, kidney failure, medications, metastatic cancer, autoimmune diseases, tuberculosis). It also looks at its clinical features (pain, difficulty breathing etc.), the complications it can cause (arrhythmias, cardiac tamponade, constrictive pericarditis) and the treatment for the disease (analgesics, anti-inflammatories, pericardiocentesis, pericardiectomy).

Tags:pericaridum, pericarditis

Abstract
An ACE inhibitor works by making blood vessels relax and by preventing a chemical in the blood, angiotensin I, from being converted into a substance that increases salt and water retention in the body. This paper describes a particular ACE inhibitor, Diovan. Diovan restricts the nutrients of salt and water, preventing retention in the heart. Diovan has also been shown to decrease the likelihood of malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The paper discusses the use of Diovan in post-myocardial infarction. Side effects are noted and recommendations are listed for patients taking this medication.

From the Paper
"A Medline search for all randomized trials of ACE inhibitor use in post-myocardial infarction for January 1978 through August 1997 was conducted for meta-analysis. Inclusion criteria consisted of randomized comparisons of ACE inhibitor and placebo treatment of acute MIs within 14 days after the event, studies that were conducted for a period of six weeks or longer with a blinded follow-up of six weeks or longer, and studies that reported the total, cardiovascular and sudden cardiac death mortalities."

Tags:heart, salt, blood-pressure, artery, research

Abstract
This paper explains that, within the world of health and fitness, heart rate, which defines the number of contractions of the human heart in one minute, at rest for the male adult human heart, beats approximately 70 beats per minute; whereas, female hearts tend to beat faster at around 75 beats per minute. The author points out that physical exercise causes a normal person's heart rate to increase above the resting heart rate; as the physical activity becomes more vigorous, the heart rate increases, reaching maximum heart rate with very vigorous exercise. The paper concludes that heart rate monitoring helps to ensure a safe and effective aerobic workout and allows the exerciser to track changes, which are taking place in his or her cardiovascular system as he or she develops an exercise regimen and seeks aerobic fitness.

From the Paper
"Another type of heart rate is the working heart rate. One challenge in raising the heart rate is that the more conditioned that a heart becomes, the more difficult it is to elevate. If a heart's rate is too high during exercise, it can be lowered in the next workout by exercising less vigorously and minimizing arm movements. Conversely, if the heart rate is too low, exercise can become more vigorous to increase it. This heart rate is measured by taking the working heart rate for 6 seconds after each aerobic routine and then multiplying this number by 10 to determine the number of beats per minute."

Tags:arrhythmia, aerobic, bpm, monitor, contractions

Abstract
The paper discusses the causes and impact of an atrial fibrillation (AF) episode. The paper describes the symptoms of AF and then details the different treatments available. The paper also addresses the role of nurses as the primary care givers for these patients.

From the Paper
"Atrial fibrillation represents the single most common form of cardiac arrhythmias and is identified in 5% of all people above the age of 69, affecting an estimated 2.2 million people in the US alone. [Lawrence Rosenthal, (2009)] It is a tachy arrhythmia with diverse triggers ('including sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation') that initiate an episode and favorable substrates that maintain it. Currently, the exact causes that trigger an AF episode are not totally understood but multiple mechanisms are found to be in play. One such theory is the 'multiple wavelet theory' that suggests that the 'fractionalization of waves' that travel along the atrium leads to 'daughter wavelets' that results in multiple wavelet reentry. This theory proposes that the number of daughter wavelets maybe determined by different factors including the reduction in 'atrial conduction velocity', decreased 'atrial refractory period' and atrial mass. [Lawrence Rosenthal, (2009)] More recent studies have implicated ectopic sites in the pulmonary vein and the vena caval junctions as potential triggers of AF. This theory has been attested by cases of patients recovering after radio frequency ablation of the vena caval junctions. [Maurits et.al 2001]
"Typically, during an AF episode, the atrium may beat up to 300 times per minute while the ventricles may beat up to 175 times per minute . During AF, the conduction signal may originate in a different location of the atria (other than the usual SA node) or may be originating from the adjacent left pulmonary vein. This results in abnormal contractions of the atrium that significantly affects ventricular filling."

Tags:cardiac, arrhythmias, atrium, vena, cava, ventricles, clots, heart, blood

Abstract
This paper examines how a growing body of evidence has implicated a condition known as hypothyroidism in the onset and progression of coronary artery disease and other circulatory diseases as well. It looks at how this seems to be due to the role of the thyroid in producing certain critical hormones whose regulatory role in cell metabolism limits the production of low-density lipoproteins such as cholesterol and therefore helps to prevent heart disease.

From the Paper
"For all the risks and problems associated with thyroid disease, and particularly with the diseases linked to hypothyroidism, there is hope for those individuals. Medicine now recognizes that thyroid disease is the most recognizable endocrine disorder affecting proper cardiac function after diabetes. Therefore, all patients presenting with coronary artery disease or cardiac arrhythmias (irregularities in heart rate and rhythm) should promptly be screened with a sensitive and specific thyroid stimulating hormone panel or assay, followed by the initiation of appropriate treatment.17 (BioMedical Central, 2002,)"

Tags:thyroid, gland, endocrine, diabetes, arrhythmias