Nursing the Cardiac Patient

Melanie Humphreys is Senior Lecturer in the School of Health at The University of Wolverhampton. She is award leader for the Masters in Nursing Studies and the BSc (Hons) Clinical Practice (Cardiac Care). Within these awards she has a large responsibility for the teaching and application of cardiac specialist practice, research and evidence based practice.

“This is a nicely written book providing an overview of current nursing care issues with respect to cardiac patients.”  (British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, 5 May 2012)“Highlights what is needed for the Cardiac patient from beginning to end, and covers everything you would need to know…this book would be useful for every stage of the course, and beyond in practice. The book highlights important stages such as prevention, treatment and causes of action.” 3rd year nursing student, Glasgow Caledonian University

• Contributor Biographies. Preface.Acknowledgements.1 Acute Coronary Syndrome in Perspective (Melanie Humphreys).Introduction.The challenge of saving lives.The scope of this book.2 Reducing the Risk: Primary Care Initiatives (Melanie Humphreys and Brenda Cottami).Introduction.Primary care initiatives in perspective.Identification of those "at risk".Rapid access chest pain clinics.Sudden cardiac death.Early recognition and access to emergency services.Early CPR.Early defibrillation.First responders.Summary.3 Assessment of the Cardiovascular System (Jackie Younker).Introduction.Cardiovascular assessment in perspective.Chest pain assessment.Electrocardiography.Laboratory tests.Diagnostic procedures.Summary.4 Diagnosing Acute Coronary Syndrome (John McGowan).Introduction.Acute coronary syndromes in perspective.Interpreting the 12-lead ECG.Biochemical markers.Risk stratification.Imaging techniques.Summary.5 Unstable Angina (John McGowan).Introduction.Unstable angina in perspective.Treatment strategies.Summary.6 Non-ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (Melanie Humphreys).Introduction.Non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction in perspective.Causes.Diagnosis.Treatment of NSTEMI.Summary.7 ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (Claire Rushton).Introduction.ST segment elevation myocardial infarction in perspective.Care priorities.Treatment priorities.Complications of STEMI.Territories of STEMI: special considerations.Special patient groups.Continuing care.Rehabilitation and secondary prevention.Summary.8 Therapeutic Intervention in Acute Coronary Syndromes (Jan Keenan).Introduction.Pathophysiology of ACS.Early identification of ACS.Early therapeutic intervention.Therapeutic intervention for STE-ACS and NSTE-ACS.Primary percutaneous coronary intervention.Facilitated percutaneous coronary intervention.Summary.9 Cardiothoracic Care (Debbie Danitsch).Introduction.Preparation for surgery.The operation.Postoperative care.Cardiac care after the first 24 hours.Fast tracking.Discharge.Summary.10 Arrhythmias and their Management (Melanie Humphreys, Celia Warlow and John McGowan).Introduction.Electrophysiology of the heart.The conduction system.Manifestations of arrhythmias.Arrhythmias.Arrhythmia treatment.Peri-arrest arrhythmias.Cardiac arrest rhythms.Summary.11 Emergency Cardiac Care (Melanie Humphreys and Lisa Cooper).Introduction.Cardiac emergencies in perspective.Early warning scoring systems.Assessing the emergency cardiac patient.Acute heart failure.Pericarditis.Cardiac tamponade.Electrolyte disorders.Summary.12 Long-Term Cardiac Conditions (Ian Jones and Anne Dormer).Introduction.Heart failure.Refractory angina.Atrial fibrillation.Summary.13 Cardiac Rehabilitation (Tim Grove).Introduction.Cardiac rehabilitation in perspective.Provision of cardiac rehabilitation.Summary.14 Secondary Prevention Within the Community (Tim Grove).Introduction.Ongoing risk factor modification.Psychological wellbeing.Psychosocial wellbeing.Cardioprotective medication.Summary.15 Ethical Issues in Cardiac Care (Pauline Walsh and Fiona Foxall).Introduction.Ethical theory and principles in perspective.Ethical decision-making frameworks.Informed consent.DNAR.The ethics of withdrawal of active treatment.Patients' rights and responsibilities.Summary.Appendix A: Patient Transfer to Theatre/Specialist Centre (Sarah Dickie).Introduction.Transfer in perspective.Preparation of the patient for intrahospital or interhospital transfer.Summary.Appendix B: Cardiac Rehabilitation Circuit Class (Tim Grove).Class management.Staffing ratios.Other considerations.Appendix C: Cardiac Pacemakers (Ian Jones and Anne Dormer).Indications and usage.Pacemaker function.NASPE/BPEG code.Index.