ABSTRACT
The automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) is one treatment method employed for patients with actual or potential malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Support group intervention has been shown to be of value in promoting adaptation and coping skills. This exploratory pilot study compared the psychosocial effects of support group intervention on 11 AICD recipients who regularly attended support group, ten spouses, or significant others who also attended and five AICD recipients who were unable to attend. The Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory, The Anxiety Visual Analogue Study (VAS), the Medical Outcome Study (MOS) Short Form General Health Survey, and anecdotal reports were used. Results showed that quantitative data were not significantly changed by support group interventions. Qualitative data demonstrated improved ability to cope and increased satisfaction with life in group participants, however, it was difficult to ascertain whether this was a result of passage of time.
Subject(s)
Defibrillators, Implantable , Family/psychology , Self-Help Groups/organization & administration , Social Support , Tachycardia, Ventricular/psychology , Activities of Daily Living , Adaptation, Psychological , Aged , Anxiety/diagnosis , Anxiety/epidemiology , Anxiety/etiology , Anxiety/prevention & control , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Personal Satisfaction , Pilot Projects , Tachycardia, Ventricular/therapyABSTRACT
The critical care nurse is responsible for initiating and maintaining the newest type of administration of continuous-verapamil intravenous infusion. The nurse's monitoring and evaluation of the desired and adverse effects helps the team to titrate the dosage according to the patient's response.
Subject(s)
Infusions, Intravenous/nursing , Tachycardia, Supraventricular/drug therapy , Verapamil/administration & dosage , Aged , Atrial Fibrillation/drug therapy , Drug Interactions , Humans , Male , Postoperative Complications/drug therapy , Verapamil/adverse effectsABSTRACT
This article discusses rupture of the free wall of the left ventricle and ventricular septal defect (VSD). Although both entities occur infrequently, they remain prominent causes of death from acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Rupture of the free wall varies from an acute tear to a slow, incomplete, or subacute rupture. A VSD resulting from an AMI may be simple or complex. A simple rupture is a direct opening in the ventricular system. A complex rupture ascribes an undulating course. Although VSD is potentially amendable to surgical therapy, free wall rupture is usually immediately fatal. Because rapid identification with aggressive treatment potentially influences patient outcome, cardiovascular nurses need to be able to rapidly identify patients experiencing these cardiac rupture syndromes. Nurses provide the important physiologic and psychosocial support that is necessary for patient survival and successful adaptation.
