Cardiovascular Emergencies Adult basic life support Basic life support (BLS) is the backbone of effective resuscitation following a cardiorespiratory arrest. The aim is to maintain adequate ventilation and circulation until…
Practical Procedures Arterial blood sampling An arterial blood sample is used to measure the arterial oxygen tension (PaO2), carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2), pH and bicarbonate/base excess levels, and haemoglobin (Hb)…
Arrhythmias The cardiac conduction system Cardiac action potential The resting cardiac myocyte is electrically negative, with a transmembrane voltage of between -50 mV and -95 mV. This is due to…
Cardiac Catheterization and Intervention Radiation protection in the catheterization laboratory All practitioners delivering ionizing radiation during medical procedures must attend a radiation protection course (IRMER, Ionising Radiation Medical Exposure Regulations…
Invasive Electrophysiology Abbreviations 0-9 3D three dimensional A ACT activated clotting time AD afterdepolarization AF atrial fibrillation AICD automated implantable cardioverter defibrillator AP accessory pathway ASD atrial septal defect ATP…
Congenital Heart Disease Introduction Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the commonest congenital defects, occurring in approximately 0.6-0.8% of newborns. i.e. there are about 5000 newborns with CHD each…
Heart Disease in Pregnancy Basic principles Cardiac disease in pregnancy is rare in the UK, Europe, and the developed world, but common in developing countries. In the UK, rheumatic heart…
Eponymous Syndromes A-C Aase syndrome A clinical triad of congenital anaemia, triphalangeal thumbs, and VSD. The aetiology is unknown. Adams-Stokes syncope See Stokes-Adams syndrome ( p. 706). Alfidi’s syndrome Hypertension…
Cardiovascular Disease in Less-Developed Countries Burden of cardiovascular disease in less-developed countries Approximately 80% of the world’s people reside outside Western Europe and Canada/USA. Although cardiovascular diseases (CVD) occur throughout…
Multisystem Disorders Coronary artery disease in patients with rheumatologic diseases Origins Atherosclerosis, thrombosis, arteritis, vasospasm Epidemiology Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) The prevalence of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is 6-10 %…
