Most cardiologists recommend avoidance of calcium channel blockers such as verapamil and diltiazem in heart failure patients, even in the setting of … [Read more...]
Cardiac Contractility Interventions
Cardiac contractility is the ability of the heart muscle to contract and pump blood out of the heart chambers into the coronary and peripheral … [Read more...]
Afterload Interventions
Afterload interventions may make it easier or more difficult for the heart to pump blood volume through the distal peripheral circulation by changing … [Read more...]
Preload Interventions
There are many variables that affect the preload status of the heart and multiple preload interventions that can be used to either increase or … [Read more...]
CHADS 2 Score for Stroke Risk in Atrial Fibrillation
A commonly used algorithm to determine the stroke risk after onset of atrial fibrillation is calculation of the CHADS 2 score. The higher the CHADS 2 … [Read more...]
Dick Cheney Released from Hospital
Former Vice-President Dick Cheney has been released from Inova Fairfax hospital 10 days after undergoing a cardiac transplant. … [Read more...]
VectraplexECG Technology Receives FDA and CE Mark Clearance
VectraplexECG with VectraplexAMI technology is a novel system for streamlining performance of noninvasive cardiac monitoring and detection of acute … [Read more...]
Causes of Wide Complex QRS
As every medical resident knows who is studying for their board exam, the six common causes of wide QRS on electrocardiogram (ECG) are: 1. … [Read more...]
ECG Findings in Left Bundle Branch Block
Left bundle branch blocks (LBBB) are a common finding on ECG's particularly in the ER and ICU. New onset of a LBBB can herald underlying ischemia or … [Read more...]
Cardioselective Beta Blockers
The following cardioselective beta blockers are considered to largely cardioselective with effect largely on beta 1 receptors (vasodilation and … [Read more...]
Physiological Effects of Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
Intra-aortic balloon pumps are inserted through the femoral artery with inflation at the onset of diastole and deflation just before systole. There … [Read more...]
Aortic Stenosis – Classic Clinical Triad
Angina, syncope, dyspnea on exertion … [Read more...]