Editorials:

Kathleen Dracup and Christopher W. Bryan-Brown

The Power of Words
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(4): 312-314. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Letters to the Editor:

Kelli Alexander and Lisa Day

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(4): 315. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Anne Robinette

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(4): 316. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Erin Wheeler

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(4): 316-317. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Jill Parker, Janie Heath, Jeannette Andrews, Sue Ann Thomas, Frances J. Kelley, and Erika Friedman

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(4): 317. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Corrections:

CORRECTION
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(4): 315. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Cardiac Issues in Critical Care:

Michele M. Pelter, Mary G. Adams, and Barbara J. Drew

Association of Transient Myocardial Ischemia With Adverse In-Hospital Outcomes for Angina Patients Treated in a Telemetry Unit or a Coronary Care Unit
The authors (1) compared the rate of transient myocardial ischemia in a group of 186 patients with angina treated in a telemetry unit with the rate in a group of 186 patients treated in a coronary care unit and (2) determined if transient myocardial ischemia is associated with adverse in-hospital outcomes.
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(4): 318-325. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Cardiac Surgical Care:

Tracy N. Albright, Michael A. Zimmerman, and Craig H. Selzman

Vasopressin in the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit
The authors outline the pathophysiology of vasodilatory hypotension in postoperative cardiac surgery patients, discuss the physiological role of endogenous vasopressin, explore the clinical basis for vasopressin replacement, and review pharmacological and administration guidelines.
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(4): 326-330. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Lynn V. Doering, Anthony W. McGuire, and Darlene Rourke

Recovering From Cardiac Surgery: What Patients Want You To Know
The authors examined patients' perceptions of the quality of nursing and medical care they received after cardiac surgery. Extracted themes were applied to the structure-process-outcome framework of quality of care.
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(4): 333-343. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Psychological Issues in Critical Care:

Kathleen L. Grady, Peter Meyer, Annette Mattea, Diane Dressler, Sophia Ormaza, Connie White-Williams, Suzanne Chillcott, Annemarie Kaan, Barbara Todd, Alice Loo, Annette L. Klemme, William Piccione, and Maria Rosa Costanzo

Predictors of Quality of Life at 1 Month After Implantation of a Left Ventricular Assist Device
Left ventricular assist devices have been developed in response to the disparity between the number of patients listed for heart transplantation and actual surgeries performed. The successful use of these devices prompted the authors to examine the quality of life of patients who have them implanted.
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(4): 345-352. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

New Approaches to Practice:

Dale Russell, Mary VorderBruegge, and Suzanne M. Burns

Effect of an Outcomes-Managed Approach to Care of Neuroscience Patients by Acute Care Nurse Practitioners
The authors set out to determine the clinical and financial impact of an outcomes-managed model of care delivery on a neuroscience ward and a neuroscience ICU. Two acute care nurse practitioners served as outcomes managers. For the most part, the model relied on the ACNPs' assertive clinical acumen, system savvy, and communication skills to ensure that best practice be accomplished for the patients.
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(4): 353-362. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]  

Respiratory Issues in Critical Care:

Mary Lou Sole, Jacqueline F. Byers, Jeffery E. Ludy, and C. Lynne Ostrow

Suctioning Techniques and Airway Management Practices: Pilot Study and Instrument Evaluation
The authors compare institutional policies and procedures related to closed suctioning and airway management, and describe and compare practices of registered nurses and respiratory therapists concerning closed-system suctioning and airway management of intubated patients. Included is a look at the use of oral care and instillation of isotonic sodium chloride solution.
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(4): 363-368. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Carol Diane Epstein, Naglaa El-Mokadem, and Joel R. Peerless

Weaning Older Patients From Long-term Mechanical Ventilation: A Pilot Study
As older persons in the intensive care unit increasingly require long-term mechanical ventilation, accurate indications of readiness for weaning from ventilatory support are needed to avoid premature extubation. The authors monitored 10 trauma and surgical patients more than 60 years old after 3 days of unsuccessful attempts at weaning them from ventilatory support.
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(4): 369-377. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

AACN 2002 Distinguished Research Lecture:

Barbara J. Drew

Celebrating the 100th Birthday of the Electrocardiogram: Lessons Learned From Research in Cardiac Monitoring
Drew's program of research at UCSF has advanced the field of electrocardiography by developing and testing better ways to detect cardiac arrhythmias and myocardial ischemia. In this article, Drew shares lessons learned from clinical trials at UCSF during the past 12 years. Covered are such topics as the use of 12-lead ECGs to diagnose wide-QRS-complex tachycardias and false alarms on the ST-segment monitor caused by inconsistent lead placement.
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(4): 378-386. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Cardiology Casebook:

Laurie G. Futterman and Louis Lemberg

Peripheral Arterial Disease Is Only the Tip of the Atherosclerotic "Iceberg"
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(4): 390-394. [Full Text] [PDF]  

ECG Puzzler:

Michele M. Pelter and Mary G. Adams

A Class III Antiarrhythmic Agent
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(4): 395-396. [Full Text] [PDF]  

ECG Puzzler - Correction:

Mary G. Adams and Michele M. Pelter

Reperfusion Arrhythmias
Am J Crit Care 2002 11(4): 397-399. [Full Text] [PDF]  

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