The Journal of cardiovascular nursing
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Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a congenital cardiac disease with an estimated prevalence of 1:500 in the population. Individuals with HCM can present with clinical manifestations that include left ventricular outflow obstruction, cardiac dysrhythmias, diastolic heart failure, cardiac angina, and sudden cardiac death. Current treatments include pharmacologic intervention to reduce heart rate and ventricular contractility as well as surgery or septal alcohol ablation to reduce myocardial septal size. ⋯ The identification of persons at risk for complications related to HCM is important for reducing mortality and morbidity in this population. In addition, diagnosis of HCM in an individual allows the healthcare provider caring for these patients to screen, educate, and institute timely preventative measures in other members of the family. The purpose of this review is to provide clinicians caring for cardiac patients with a guide for recognition, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of HCM.
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Assisting nurses in gaining the cognitive and psychomotor skills necessary to safely and effectively care for patients with cardiovascular disease can be challenging for educators. Ideally, nurses would have the opportunity to synthesize and practice these skills in a protected training environment before application in the dynamic clinical setting. ⋯ This article describes the High Fidelity Human Simulation Laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing and presents strategies for using this technology as a tool in teaching complex cardiac nursing care at the basic and advanced practice nursing levels. The advantages and disadvantages of high fidelity human simulation in learning are discussed.