Description
Heart attack is the commonest cause of death in developed countries, and there is now clear evidence that early and appropriate treatment can significantly reduce this mortality. This practical book is directed at all those who come into contact with patients with acute chest pain syndromes. The book begins with an overview of the epidemiology and pathology of myocardial infarction, and a consideration of risk reduction. It covers the early management of acute chest pain and cardiac arrest in the community, and discusses the rationale behind providing effective community care. It then fully discusses hospital care, including investigation, diagnosis and management of myocardial infarction and possible complications. There is a section dealing with practical procedures such as cardioversion and temporary pacing, and a chapter describing the commonly-used cardiac drugs. Finally, there is a discussion of the recovery phase and rehabilitation and surveillance in the community. This up-to-date guide should be of interest to all doctors and nurses, both in the community and in hospital, who care for heart attack patients.Table of Contents: Part 1 Epidemiology and pathology: epidemiology; risk variables; pathology; coronary spasm; metabolic consequences of infarction; reperfusion; infarct size; infarct timing;; stuttering ischaemia; stunned myocardium; pathological complications. Part 2 Reducing risk: who is at risk from coronary disease?; risk assessment; recommendations; the cholesterol debate; work environment; screening. Part 3 Unstable ischaemia: unstable angina; syndrome X; management; silent myocardial ischaemia; aortic dissection. Part 4 Pre-hospital management: why we should provide pre-hospital coronary care?; why the delay?; sudden death; out-of-hospital cardiac arrest; automated defibrillation; myocardial infarction; the role of the general practitioner; analgesia; thrombolysis; cardiac arrest; summary of pre-hospital care; the coronary care unit. Part 5 Hospital management of myocardial infarction: the electrocardiogram; triage; analgesia; other management; thrombolysis; reocculsion; nurse responsibilities; reduction of infarct size; anticoagulation; cardiac enzymes; radionuclide imaging; yearly CCU discharge; the elderly; summary of in-hospital management. Part 6 Complications of myocardial infarction: cardiac arrest; summary of cardiac arrest procedure; cardiac arrhythmias; cardiac failure; cardiac pain; cardiac rupture; cardiac tamponade; cardiogenic shock; depression; diabetes; hyperkalaemia; hypokalaemia; murmurs; pericarditis; pulmonary embolism; reinfarction; right ventricular infarction; shoulder-hand syndrome; stroke. Part 7 Recovery: the early phase; risk stratification; secondary prevention; following discharge; rehabilitation; employment; role of the general practitioner; further investigation. Part 8 Procedures: arterial blood sampling; arterial cannulation; cardioversion; central venous pressure measurement; intra-aortic balloon assistance; intubation; pacing; pericardial aspiration; Swan-Ganz catheterization; venflon insertion; X-ray screening. Part 9 Cardiac drugs. Part contents.
