CLINICAL EVENTS CALENDAR
- StartJul 15,2010EndJul 17,2010Third Annual Cardiovascular Interventions: Head-to-Toe Meeting: Napa Valley, CAhttp://www.h2tmeeting.org/
- StartJul 18,2010EndJul 18,2010Super Tech Course for CSI (Diamondback): Hands-on, presented by Orlando Marrero, RCIS, MBA, Winter Haven Hospital, FLOrlando.Marrero@WinterHavenHospital.org
- StartJul 18,2010EndJul 21,2010Pediatric & Adult Interventional Cardiac Symposium With Live Case Demonstrations: Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Chicago, ILhttp://www.picsymposium.com
- StartJul 19,2010EndJul 23,2010Hawaii 2010: Principles and Perspectives in Interventional Cardiologywww.hawaiippic.com
Annie Ruppert RN BSN's blog
So Much Information...
In today’s technical world, it seems every day there is another device, a new drug, or
a recently developed procedure. It is, at times, mind-boggling when you consider the amount of new information and data one needs just to stay knowledgeable and current in the field of cardiology, especially interventional cardiology. When do you find the time or the energy to review recently published articles on trials and various studies that are constantly being done around the world? Even if you find the time, the articles are often very lengthy, and difficult to read and comprehend. All the data numbers, the statistics, the endpoints. You really have to be able to read the information, sift through it all and form an opinion regarding the data presented. What are the drawbacks of the study design that may influence the outcomes found? Were the trials multi-center, randomized and double-blind? Was there enough patient enrollment to be statistically significant?
New Regulations on Radiation Exposure to Patients Heading Our Way
Recent articles in Cardiology Today as well as the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services made reference to an initiative proposed by the Food and Drug Administration to reduce the radiation exposure patients receive from medical imaging.(1-2) An article in the San Diego Union-Tribune on February 17, 2010, stated, “The use of high-tech diagnostic imaging in emergency rooms has quadrupled since the mid-1990’s. The frequency of the medical scans nearly tripled at doctor offices and outpatient clinics.”(3) The FDA sees the benefits medical imaging has resulted in, such as early diagnosis and treatments, but is concerned about the risks involved.
Prasugrel…The New Kid on the Block!
In July 2009, the FDA approved the drug prasugrel (Effient) in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome patients who had planned percutaneous coronary intervention. Prasugrel, in clinical trials, has been associated with a decrease in ischemic events (including stent thrombosis), but also an increase in the risk of bleeding, including fatal bleeding.1 One study showed that when compared to clopidogrel (Plavix), prasugrel had greater platelet inhibition. This study looked at patients receiving 60 mg prasugrel compared to clopidogrel 600 mg po as a loading dose, and also on maintenance doses of
Is Your Lab Using the SYNTAX Score?
Several trials have been conducted comparing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) versus percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with multi-vessel disease (MVD). CABG has done better mainly because there is a higher rate of revascularization in the percutaneous intervention arm of the studies. One recurring criticism has been that there was no measurable way to take into account the severity or complexity of the CAD. Obviously a patient with left main disease involving the ostium of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and circumflex is a higher risk than a patient with mi
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Cath Lab Surveys
Center for Education & Practice Development - Learning Module Femoral Artery Sheath Management(PDF) This learning module is designed for the Registered Nurse Division 1 working in areas where
patients are undergoing percutaneous cardiac catheterisation and interventions.
Cath Lab Digest Blogs
Seiji E. Kashiwabara, RN, NREMT-P
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