American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Accuracy of measurements of hemoglobin and potassium in blood samples from peripheral catheters.
To compare measurements of hemoglobin and potassium in blood samples obtained from peripheral venous catheters with measurements in samples obtained via venipuncture. ⋯ Obtaining blood samples from peripheral catheters is an acceptable alternative to venipuncture for hemoglobin measurements but not for potassium measurements. Larger gauge catheters are better than small-gauge catheters for obtaining blood samples.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Thermodilution measurement of cardiac output in patients with low output: room-temperature versus iced injectate.
Measurements of cardiac output with the thermodilution technique add to data for clinical decision making and therefore must be valid and reliable. However, the results of studies on the accuracy of values obtained with room-temperature and iced injectates, especially in patients with high or low cardiac output, have been conflicting. ⋯ The findings support the practice of using room-temperature injectate to measure cardiac output in patients with low cardiac output.
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The American Heart Association is championing a national effort to make automated external defibrillators available to the public. Clinicians are beginning to grapple with the complexities involved in training laypersons to use these devices. The article reviews the experience of researchers involved in such training. ⋯ So far, widespread training of traditional first responders such as police and firefighters to use automated external defibrillators appears to be safe and effective. The data from studies in which nontraditional responders were trained are not as convincing. Further research is needed before we can assume that training of the public will be as easy and effective as training of traditional first responders.
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Epicardial pacing wires are routinely used for the diagnosis and treatment of bradyarrhythmias after cardiac surgery. The frequency of arrhythmias during removal of the wires is unknown, and methods of removal vary among institutions. ⋯ Patients may be at risk for ventricular arrhythmias during removal of epicardial pacing wires. Findings support the need for electrocardiographic monitoring while pacing wires are being removed.