Abstract
This paper reviews the five major tests of cardiac function. The paper begins by discussing how the tests are performed. Next the paper discusses what each test assesses. The paper concludes by stating the risks to the patient of undergoing the tests.

From the Paper
"The cardiac stress test is an exercise tolerance test given to see how well the heart functions under physical stress. The test is carried out in a clinic, hospital or the doctor's office. It consists of riding a bicycle or using a treadmill while ...."

Tags:echocardiography, cardiac angiogram, technetium scan, cardiac stress test

Abstract
The subject of this case study is a 61-year-old Caucasian male with a history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and coronary artery disease (CAD). The paper includes a prior risk factor profile, cardiac event history, event pathophysiology, operation summary, post operation recovery, and current risk factor profile of the heart transplant patient.

Table of Contents:
Prior Risk Factor Profile
Cardiac Event History
Event Pathophysiology
Operation Summary
Post Operation
Current Risk Factor Profile
Works Cited

From the Paper
"The first operative procedure involved coronary catheterization. A coronary catheterization is a minimally invasive procedure to access the coronary circulation and blood filled chambers of the heart using a catheter. It was performed on the subject as both a diagnostic and treatment procedure. The catheterization discovered two coronary lesions and an occluded LAD, upon which the lesions were unblocked through angioplasty and a stent placed in the LAD. However, the subject's complications due to severe CAD could not be resolved through angioplasty or CABG and a cardiac transplant was in order."

Tags:heart transplant, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, cardiac

Abstract
This paper discusses and analyzes research on possible correlation between firefighters' physical fitness and the risk of dying of cardiac arrest while battling a blaze. The paper cites studies stating that as fire-fighting proves to be a physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging job that demands a fire-fighter be at his or her best in every way possible, and that approximately 40% or 449 of the 1,144 on-duty deaths during the study period were reported to be due to heart disease. The paper points out that some researchers contend that number of fire departments do not do all that needs to be done to improve health, and consequently help prevent and decrease cardiac arrests. Dr. Linda Rosenstock, dean of the UCLA School of Public Health, contends that a number of fire departments do not do all that needs to be done to improve health, and consequently help prevent and/or decrease cardiac arrests. The same researchers conclude, the paper continues, that firefighters must be required to undergo annual physicals and fitness tests, as well as ensure participate in fitness programs, which would help reduce the risk factors of heart disease risk factors, including obesity and high blood pressure. This paper includes illustrative charts and tables.

Outline:
Introduction
Critical Cardiac Concerns
Considerations
Physical Agility Test Requirements
Conclusion

From the Paper
" Some people consider the greatest threat to fire fighters would evolve from inhaling smoke inhalation or being severely burned, Robert Siegel, host of National Public Radio (NPR) program, noted. A report in 2007, however, reveals that factors relating to extinguishing fires places fire-fighters at a greater risk of experiencing a fatal heart attack. In fact, fire-fighters of dying from cardiac arrest double the risk policemen experience in the line of duty, and triple the risks for paramedics in their work. Richard Knox, also of NPR, reports that results from a Harvard School of Public Health study, which examined reported each on-duty death among American fire-fighters between 1994 and 2004 (not those associated with 911), reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, reveal: "Heart attack is by far the biggest on-duty killer among the nation's 1.1 million fire[-]fighters. It accounts for 45 percent of their deaths on the job." Cardiac deaths which occur during actual fire-fighting total as much as a 136 times more than that take place when fire-fighters perform non-emergency duties."

Tags:heart, disease, fireman, paramedic, rescue, cardiopulmonary

Abstract
Catheterization as a medical technique has been in practice for more than two millennia. While it first began as an experimentation with animals, it gradually became part of human treatments. The procedure of cardiac catheterization in humans was first put to clinical use more than five decades ago and has undergone many changes since then. What was once a purely experimental technique is now one of the most common invasive medical procedures in Europe and North America, with more than eighty-percent of those procedures performed to diagnose suspected heart disease. Animal cardiac catheterization was first accomplished in 1844 with a horse. The characterization of the human heart was first accomplished by a German medical student in 1929. By the 1940's, the practice had become improved and was starting to become common practice in a few hospitals in North America and Europe. By entering a catheter through an arm vein, surgeons were able to reach the atrium of the heart. Today, cardiac catheterization is accomplished with a great deal of skill and technology, but is much easier and less dangerous than when it first was being used. It is the purpose of this paper to examine the history of cardiac catheterization and its import to medicine today.

Abstract
This paper explains that some surgeons have suggested that cardio pulmonary bypass surgery in and of itself activates an inflammatory response that results in a stress reaction. The author points out that the role of the anesthesiologist in cardiac surgery is, as much as possible, to reduce the stress response that results form cardiac surgery. The paper relates that the stress response can be mitigated by a variety of anesthetic techniques, including use of opioids and epidural anesthesia.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Synopsis
Stages of Anesthesia for Cardiac Patients
Implications for Practice

From the Paper
"The job of an anesthesiologist during a CBS procedure includes minimizing the autoimmune and stress response. Studies have shown that "greater fear or distress prior to surgery" is typically associated with slower and more complex and complicated post-operative recovery (Glaser, et. al, 1998). Stress response in fact delays healings. The body naturally perceives surgery as a "threatening" experience, and thus a variety of stress factors are involved in the surgical process (Glaser, et. al, 1998). Among these stress concerns include worries related to survival and recovery, as well as separation from family (Glaser, et. al, 1998); these factors are especially prevalent among cardiovascular patients, who face at bets long postoperative periods and "delicate" recovery prognosis."

Tags:inflammatory, anesthesiologist, reduction, psychological, opiods

Abstract
This paper discusses how CPR administration methods since the 1950's have largely remained unchanged, although medical understanding of how the human body reacts to sudden cardiac reperfusion has greatly advanced. The writer describes a recent change in CPR procedure by the American Heart Association, and the use of advanced external defibrillators (AED's). The writer explains some of the medical advances in cardiac reperfusion methods, such as total liquid ventilation (TLV), and describes studies that were carried out to find the best reperfusion techniques. This paper contains a table.

From the Paper
"First responders are always trained to provide the latest protocol for administering CPR. However, most people fall into three categories: never trained in CPR, fully trained and current, or fully trained but not current. A lot of people are turned off by the nature of administering CPR instead opting to do nothing rather than face a possible lawsuit if it is done improperly. Still others fear getting a disease from contact with mucus/saliva or blood born pathogens. With all of the infectious diseases carried throughout our society it is little wonder that a person would hesitate to perform resuscitation on a total stranger. As to the liability issue of performing CPR, most if not all states have a "Good Samaritan" law which precludes anyone receiving CPR from suing if they are injured as a result of the act. Chest compressions during CPR almost always result in broken ribs even when administered by first responders who do it for a living."

Tags:coronary, post-operative, morbidity, atrium, myocardial, infarction, oxygen

Abstract
This paper describes the best outcomes for post-operative cardiac patients, with an emphasis on the best qualities of an effective cardiac rehabilitation program. The paper further describes why these programs were relevant to nursing, what sorts of rehabilitative exercises were optimal and in what order they should appear. The paper concludes with a step by step plan that promises to maximize the quality of life of life for post-op individuals.

From the Paper
" In a paper previously completed by this writer, an effort was undertaken to explain what an effective cardiac rehabilitation program might look like. Time was set aside to looking at why such programs were important, why these programs were relevant to the writer's own future as a nurse, what sorts of rehabilitative exercises were optimal and in what order they should appear, and the paper concluded (in part two) by looking at a step by step plan that promised to maximize the quality of life of life for post-op individuals. Therefore, the ensuing several pages will build upon..."

Tags:quality, life, patients

Abstract
This paper examines the importance of cardiac surgery and the strides it has made in recent history. It specifically examines three articles "Changes in Mitral Regurgitation After Replacement of the Stenotic Aortic Valve" by E.C. Waisbren et al, "Impact of Cardiac Intraoperative Precursor Events on Adverse Outcomes" by D.R. Wong et al and "Surgical Management of Infective Endocarditis: Early Predictors of Short-Term Morbidity and Mortality" by D.S. Jassal et al.

From the Paper
"Cardiac surgery is an essential treatment for many that is often thought of as a last resort to treat heart diseases and acute cardiac medical events. Non-surgical interventions are the preferred methods of treatment in most cases and yet cardiac surgery is an essential and necessary specialized branch of medicine that has made significant scientific strides toward efficacy and care. Cardiac surgery is in fact more highly specialized and more effective than many other surgical specialties as it has been given monumental emphasis, as heart disease is the most common cause of death among most adult populations. In the United States significant research emphasis has been placed on cardiac surgery and non-surgical cardiac treatment and for this reason there are many more alternatives for those suffering from acute cardiac event and chronic heart disease than ever before. In short there is no better time in human history to have heart disease and acute cardiac events and live to tell about it. The strong emphasis on cardiac health has created a system which supports thousands of highly qualified and well trained physicians and surgeons who are highly versed in the most up to date specialized treatments for all the varied cardiac events and conditions."

Tags:mitral valve, ECG morbidity mortality

Abstract
This paper explains that the purpose of the reviewed study was to find out why these men with coronary artery disease were not taking care of themselves so that new and better ways can be found for these people. The author reports that the qualitative method consisted of one hour interviews with five informants that were involved in a cardiac therapy program. The paper states that the qualitative method is far more appropriate for this type of study than the quantitative method would have been and the researchers used bracketing to shield the data that they collected and analyzed from their own preconceived ideas, which could have greatly affected the results of the study; however, one possible limitations is that the study sample was not large enough.

From the Paper
"The way that the subjects for this study were obtained was very appropriate, since they were all older men between 60 and 70 years old that were involved in a cardiac therapy program as a result of CAD. They had all been diagnosed within the past two years, and they were willing participants. The sample size was also adequate. Although the study could have certainly been conducted with more individuals, the fact that there were only five patients interviewed allowed the researchers to have a lot of time with each person. This helped the patients feel that they could actually talk about what they needed and wanted, as well as what they had difficulty with."

Tags:sample, bracketing, interviews, data, nursing

Abstract
This paper explains that the new technology heart pumps, such as Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVAD), assist the heart permanently instead of temporarily as the traditional pumps were used. The paper describes the use of animal parts for transplants especially the pig heart, which closely resembles the human heart, and the problems of organ rejection. The author believes that successful cardiac technological developments will lead to further developments for other parts of the body.

From the Paper
"Traditional pumps were meant to be temporary solutions to most heart problems. These small pumps were implanted into the chest cavity of patients with the sole function of assisting the heart's own pumps. They helped to keep the rhythm of the heart's beat, regulating the pumping of blood throughout the body, and helping the heart in times of need. Traditional heart pumps were expected to help the heart recover to the points at which they could be removed and the heart would operate properly on its own. Their other function was to help keep the patient alive until they eventually moved up the waiting list for donor hearts and got a heart transplant. "

Tags:devices, lvad, permanent, traditional, pumps, animal, parts, organ, rejection