Cardiac

Objective: To assess the effects of positive cardiac genetic diagnoses, ICD discharges, and arrhythmias on measures of psychological well-being. Methods: Fifty-eight adults with prior cardiac genetic testing were enrolled. Patient well-being was determined using the SF-36 (QoL), HADS-A and HADS-D (anxiety/depression), and IPQ-R (patients’ perceptions of illness). Patients with positive and negative cardiac genetic test results were compared using non-parametric statistics.

The goal of this preliminary investigation was to lay the groundwork to test the applicability of using guided imagery as a sleep-promoting intervention immediately following cardiac surgery. Specific aims include:

1. evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of integrating the guided imagery program in order to promote sleep and reduce the inflammatory response following cardiac surgery

This purpose of this study was to examine the role of nurses working in mechanical circulatory support (MCS) programs in the United States through a description of role characteristics, including demographic information, qualifications, compensation, job preparation, work setting and responsibilities, scope of practice, contributions to patient care, and organizational outcomes.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) activation rates have been calculated using both frequency domain and time complex analyses. Direct comparisons of these methods are limited. We report: (1) their correlation when measuring AF activation rates, (2) comparisons of recording durations required to minimize variability, and (3) differences in the temporal reproducibility.