The ECG in Emergency Decision Making

The ECG in Emergency Decision Making, second edition, explains and illustrates the importance of 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) in making rapid and informed decisions in cardiac care. It covers the logical steps to the ECG recognition of the underlying mechanism of cardiac emergencies, their prognostic significance, and the best treatment. AHA treatment guidelines are presented, aspects of differential diagnosis are explained, and perforated decision-making cards are included. New to this edition * Information on using the ST deviation vector in acute myocardial infarction to localize the site of occlusion in the coronary artery and thereby the site and size of the area at risk. * How to risk stratify and treat patients with acute coronary syndromes showing ST segment depression. * Noninvasive measures to determine the site of atrioventricular block. * A guide to prehospital screening for patients with chest pain. * The ECG features of myocardial infarction in patients with an acute myocardial infarction AND a left bundle branch block. * New information on monogenic diseases leading to cardiac arrhythmias. * Perforated decision-making cards for quick access in the emergency setting. By Hein J. J. Wellens, MD, PhD, Professor of Cardiology, University of Maastricht; Chairman, Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Maastricht; Maastricht, The Netherlands; and Mary Boudreau Conover, RN, BSN, Educational Director, Critical Care Conferences, Santa Cruz, CA Table of Contents: 1. Acute Myocardial Infarction 2. ECG Identification of High-Risk Patients with Unstable Angina 3. Wide QRS Tachycardia 4. Narrow QRS Tachycardia 5. Monogenic Diseases Leading to Cardiac Arrhythmias and Sudden Death 6. Slow Atrial Rhythms 7. Atrioventricular Block 8. ECG Recognition of Acute Pulmonary Embolism 9. Digitalis-Induced Emergencies 10. Other Drug-Induced Emergencies 11. Potassium-Related Emergencies 12. Pacing Emergencies 13. Prehospital Cardiac Emergencies Appendix 1. Emergency Axis Determination Appendix 2. Electrical Treatment Of Arrhythmias Appendix 3. Emergency Drugs