For patients who undergo PCI, mortality is associated with increases in mean platelet volume over time following the procedure.

Eliquis (apixaban) has been approved by the U.S. FDA to help prevent stroke and dangerous blood clots in people with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

For elderly patients about to undergo cardiac surgery who are experiencing high levels of anxiety, there is a five-fold higher risk of postoperative major morbidity or mortality.

Patients with acute coronary syndromes treated with PCI and a maintenance dose of prasugrel experienced low rates of high platelet reactivity (HPR), ischemic events, and major bleeding in the first 30 days of treatment.

Symptoms Experienced by Heart Failure Patients in Hospice Care
Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, January/February 2013

End-stage heart failure patients are a prevalent hospice population with unique symptoms. The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency, severity, and distress of symptoms experienced by heart failure patients receiving hospice care. The relationships among depressive symptoms and symptom prevalence, severity, and distress were also examined.

Rhythm Self-Quiz: Fast and Deadly
Nursing2013 Critical Care, January 2013

Because ventricular tachycardia can present many ways – stable, unstable, or pulseless – prompt identification and management may prevent patient mortality. Learn to quickly analyze a sample rhythm strip using five steps.

Premature Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Understanding Management Strategies
Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, February 2013

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease because of the premature development of atherosclerotic plaques. Multiple studies suggest that patients with SLE have between a 9-fold and 50-fold increase in risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared with non-SLE patients.

Effects of Social Support and Stressful Life Events on Health-Related Quality of Life in Coronary Artery Disease Patients
Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, February 2013

Although there have been recent trends in decreased death caused by cardiovascular diseases, prevalence of CAD remains high. After an acute MI, mortality rate and reinfarction are considered major adverse clinical outcomes. On the other hand, expression of clinical signs and symptoms, functional ability, well-being of patients, and their quality of life are also important outcomes.

ECG Challenges: Measurement and Rate Correction of the QT Interval
AACN Advanced Critical Care, March 2013

The QT interval is inversely related to heart rate. As heart rate increases, repolarization time decreases, and vice versa. Correcting the QT interval for heart rate is necessary for monitoring, because the correction allows the comparison of multiple QT intervals over time and across varying heart rates.

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In Our Next Issue:

• Effect of Patient Activation on Self-Management in Patients With Heart Failure
• A Complex Systems View of Sepsis: Implications for Nursing