Coronary artery spasm, silent ischemia, and cardiac arrest

Article Abstract:

Patients who survive cardiac arrest are often evaluated for factors that may have contributed to its cause. A research study found that cardiac arrest may have been caused by myocardial ischemia induced by coronary artery spasm in five out-of-hospital survivors. None of these patients had coronary artery disease. Myocardial ischemia is a condition characterized by decreased circulation of blood to the heart muscle. Other research studies have found an association between coronary spasm and life-threatening arrhythmias of the ventricle chambers of the heart. Myocardial ischemia may be the sole cause of life-threatening arrhythmia in some patients. Arrhythmia induced by coronary artery spasm should be considered as a cause of cardiac arrest in patients who do not have heart disease. If this was the cause of cardiac arrest, survivors can receive specific treatment to prevent future episodes.

Editorial, Causes of, Complications and side effects, Cardiac arrest, Coronary vasospasm, Silent myocardial ischemia

---

The evaluation and management of bradycardia

Article Abstract:

Bradycardia is relatively common and many people do not need treatment unless they have symptoms. Bradycardia means the heart is beating slower than normal. However, the normal heart rate varies considerably, between 50 to 90 beats per minute. During sleep, even healthy people have a slower heart rate, which can drop as low as 30. The heart may compensate for the slower rate by pumping more blood with each beat. Bradycardia can be confirmed by an electrocardiogram, or ECG. A pacemaker can be used in patients with symptomatic bradycardia.

Care and treatment, Bradycardia

---

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators

Article Abstract:

The use and effectiveness of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators is reviewed. These small devices are surgically inserted in the chest, where they detect abnormal heart rhythms and produce an electric shock to restore the heart to its normal rhythm. They are very effective but are also expensive and invasive.

Evaluation, Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Caution: children at play. In safety, seconds and inches separate life from death. What not to do during an OSHA inspection
• Abstracts: An alternative to inpatient care for clients with acute mental illness. Partial to holistic care
• Abstracts: Women's dietary fat and sugar intakes: implications for food based guidelines. The influence of survey duration on estimates of food intakes and its relevance for public health nutrition and food safety issues
• Abstracts: Fish consumption and coronary heart disease mortality. A systematic review of prospective cohort studies. Types of alcohol and drinking patter in 56,970 Danish men and women
• Abstracts: Variation in carotid endarterectomy mortality in the Medicare population: trial hospitals, volume, and patient characteristics

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.