Heart & lung : the journal of critical care
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To determine the most accurate technique to measure the heart rate during atrial fibrillation by use of three counting intervals, 15, 30, and 60 seconds, and two methods, apical and radial pulse measurement. ⋯ Atrial fibrillation occurs in 2% to 4% of people over 60 years of age and is one of the most difficult dysrhythmias to count. Accurate counts are important when making clinical decisions, yet measurement of heart rate in this study was quite inaccurate. The 60-second count and the apical method were the most accurate statistically, although differences in counting interval error rates were not clinically significant.
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To compare the degree of dyspnea experienced by ventilator-dependent patients receiving synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) versus T-piece or pressure support ventilation (PSV) weaning. The relationship between self-reported perceptions of dyspnea and physiologic variables observed during weaning trials was examined. Variables included heart rate, respiratory rate, minute ventilation, and oxygen saturation as measured by a pulse oximeter. ⋯ The patient's experience of dyspnea during the weaning process can be a valuable guide to observe the patient's progress. The VAS serves as a reliable, easy-to-use tool for quantifying the patient's perception of dyspnea.