A new clinical practice guideline on the management of stable ischemic heart disease has been published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

For older women with early-stage breast cancer who are treated with trastuzumab, increased rates of heart failure and cardiomyopathy have been reported.

Serum total bilirubin levels can be used to predict the risk of in-hospital mortality for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary PCI.

Adults with diabetes and multi-vessel coronary heart disease who underwent cardiac bypass surgery had fewer adverse events and better survival rates than those who underwent PCI.

Sinus Node Dysfunction: Recognition And Treatment
The Nurse Practitioner: The American Journal of Primary Health Care, November 2012

Sinus node dysfunction (SND) refers to a wide range of abnormalities involving sinus node and atrial impulse generation and propagation. SND occurs at any age and is commonly encountered in clinical practice.

Heart Matters: ACS: A Triad Of Troubles Sets The Stage For MI
Nursing Made Incredibly Easy!, December 2012

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is an umbrella term used to describe occlusive or partially occlusive coronary vascular events known as unstable angina (UA), NSTEMI, and STEMI. Using a case study approach, this article presents critical information so you know what to do when treating patients during a cardiac emergency.

First-Year Clinical Outcomes in Gender-Mismatched Heart Transplant Recipients
Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, December 2012

Research indicates that gender mismatch of organ donor and recipient may adversely affect outcomes in heart transplant (HT) patients. However, there is a paucity of literature on this subject, and only a few outcomes have been investigated.

Practice Pointers: Safely Positioning Patients For Cardiac Robotic Surgery
OR Nurse 2012, November 2012

By understanding proper positioning for patients for cardiac robotic surgical procedures, you can keep your patient and your team safe. Patient positioning before, during, and after robotic surgery is crucial because the robotic equipment must have unobstructed movement for successful surgery.

Direct Care Nurses’ Knowledge in Acute Myocardial Infarction Treatment
Journal for Nurses in Staff Development, October 2012 

A multidisciplinary team pilot tested a new learning approach on a cardiac step-down unit to educate both nurses and patients about the American Heart Association's Get-With-the-Guidelines Program for Coronary Artery Disease. The educational strategies were successful, and data revealed an increase in nursing knowledge of core measures.

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In Our Next Issue:

• Postoperative Anxiety and Depression in Patients Undergoing Thoracoscopic Closure of Congenital Heart Defects
• Assessment of Commonly Available Education Materials in Heart Failure Clinics