Critical care nursing clinics of North America
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Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am · Mar 2005
ReviewClinical trials update: sudden cardiac death prevention by implantable device therapy.
Sudden cardiac death represents an enormous public health problem in all developed countries of the world. In the United States, sudden cardiac death occurs in more than 400,000 people each year and is the leading cause of death. ⋯ Individuals deemed high risk for sudden cardiac death may be treated with implantable defibrillators. This article highlights evidence from randomized, controlled trials of implantable device therapy used in prevention of sudden cardiac death.
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Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am · Mar 2005
ReviewUse of vasopressors in the treatment of cardiac arrest.
Intervention for cardiac arrest may require intervention for electrical abnormalities or hemodynamic instability. These actions can result in ineffective cardiac functioning and systemic hypotension. Vasopressors are capable of improving severe hypotension that can result from reduced cardiovascular contractility or heart rate. These vasopressor actions are critical to successful resuscitation efforts for patients.
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Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am · Mar 2005
ReviewUsing simulation to teach resuscitation: an important patient safety tool.
Learning resuscitation scenarios using high-fidelity simulation can have a positive impact on real-life learning for health care professionals. Simulation sessions encourage knowledge acquisition and critical thinking for nursing students, experienced nurses, nurse anesthetists, physicians, and respiratory therapists. A novice to expert theoretical perspective can be accomplished without anxiety over scenario outcome. Results of educational endeavors support simulation use, but continued research is needed to substantiate learner outcome and technologic value.