Author Guidelines Editorial Board About Us Contact Us Advertise Subscribe Issue Archive

RSS | Login | Register

Heart Disease

Long QT syndrome and Wegener granulomatosis

Myriam D. Riboh, MS, PA-C March 27, 2012

This month's review covers the symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and treatment of two potentially fatal disorders.

Simvastatin dosing restrictions; monitoring amiodarone therapy

Larissa DeDea, PharmD, BCPS, PA-C September 20, 2011

This month's topics are preventing myopathies when using simvastatin and safe use of amiodarone.

Recurrent pneumonia and fevers in a child with congenital heart disease

August 15, 2011

Sound clinical judgment coupled with diagnostic testing reveal a much more serious cause of a 6-year-old girl's seemingly nondiagnostic symptoms of recurrent fever and cough.

Previously healthy man is afflicted with dyspnea, weight gain, and orthopea

Matthew J. Graziano, MPAS December 28, 2010

A man who had frequent contact with animals reported the recent development of respiratory symptoms and signs of heart failure.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: The race to find a fatal condition in athletes

Charles S. Lemasters II, PA-C; John M. Grosel, MD June 02, 2010

Conflicting opinions and concerns about costs inhibit the routine use of 12-lead ECG in preparticipation screenings for young athletes.

Induced therapeutic hypothermia truly is a lifesaver

May 28, 2010

Use of mild therapeutic hypothermia improves outcomes in cardiac arrest

What is an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator?

Mary L. Hewett, PA-C, MS May 17, 2010

Your patients with arrhythmias will want to know all there is to know about these lifesaving devices.

Cardiac auscultation 101: A basic science approach to diagnosing heart murmurs

Christopher Hanifin, PA-C April 06, 2010

Applying the basics of anatomy and physiology to where and when heart sounds are heard best is key to successful cardiac auscultation.

CME Posttest: Examination of the shoulder; Mild therapeutic hypothermia

March 02, 2010

March 2010

Use of mild therapeutic hypothermia to treat cardiac arrest

Bau P. Tran, PA-C, PharmD, MMS; Courtney V. McGuire, PA-C; Marie A. Maloney, MS, PA-C March 01, 2010

Induced hypothermia, used to prevent brain ischemia during cardiac surgery, can also effectively treat out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

A very abnormal ECG in a relatively healthy person

Rami N. Khouzam, MD, FACC, FACP, FASNC February 23, 2010

An ECG obtained during the routine physical of a healthy, active man indicates serious heart disease.

What is a heart catheterization?

Nicole L. Hatcher, PA-C, MPAS January 28, 2010

This patient handout explains that left-heart catheterization with coronary angiography is the gold standard test for significant coronary disease.

A new verdict for hormone therapy (HT): Safe for younger, symptomatic women

Janie L. Knotts, PA-C; William A. Childers Jr, MS, PA-C December 02, 2009

New research data and updated indications have created a niche for hormone therapy in younger women going through menopause.

Lipid disorders

Leslie Kole, PA-C November 11, 2009

Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for coronary artery and heart diseases. This article reviews screening and the most effective approach to disease management in these patients.

Is concomitant use of PPIs and clopidogrel safe?

October 16, 2009

Use of drug-eluting stents for patients with coronary heart disease

Jessica Justice, MHS, PA-C; Christian Yacono, MHS, PA-C August 24, 2009

Which patients are good candidates for drug-eluting stents, and how do we ensure the best long-term outcome?

Episodes of severe dyspnea

Tyson Parker, MPAS, PA-C July 17, 2009

A 73-year-old nonsmoker complains of fatigue and dyspnea so severe that he has to rest when walking from his car to his house and sit up on the edge of the bed to breathe.

How do I control my heart failure?

Sharon Masinelli, PA-C March 23, 2009

A National Institutes of Health study reported that hospitalizations for heart failure (HF) have increased significantly since 1980. Considering that 5 million people in the United States are currently living with HF, PAs need to be proactive in caring for this special patient population.

A middle aged woman with shortness of breath

Kate August, PA-C, MMSc January 01, 2009

A 54-year-old woman presented to the emergency department complaining of shortness of breath, fatigue, and nausea. She stated that for the past 4 days, she had noticed progressive shortness of breath, especially on exertion.

What is a nuclear cardiac stress test?

Anoma Zehra Ahmed, RPA-C, MBBS January 01, 2009

Nuclear cardiology studies are used to evaluate heart function, as well as the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with single photon emission computedtomography (SPECT) is one of the most commonly used noninvasive methods for assessing CAD.