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Initial
Diagnostic Results
19.
How does measuring the level of cardiac enzymes help detect a
myocardial infarction (MI)?
20.
Why are Mr. Dixon's cardiac enzyme levels normal or only slightly
elevated, even though it appears he has just experienced an acute
MI?
21. What health care professional is responsible
for determining cardiac enzyme levels?
Mr.
Dixon was admitted to the hospital's coranary care unit (CCU) and
carefully monitored by specially-trained coronary care nursing
personnel. In patients with an AMI, the risk of sudden
death is usually within the first 24 hours of the initial
attack.
Early on the second day, the patient was scheduled
for an
angiogram
to help assess the patient's coronary blood flow..
22.
What is an angiogram?
23. Why is this test done?
24.
What health care professional assisted the physician in
performing the angiogram?
An
expanded blood chemistry work-up was ordered to include a second
measurement of cardiac enzymes.
After
2 full days in the CCU, Mr. Dixon continued to improve and was
transferred to the regular medical floor of the hospital for
continued observation of vital signs, monitoring of serum cardiac
markers and other key parameters. After 6 days, he was
discharged from the hospital with specific orders for post-AMI
recovery.
Instructor's
Note:
Mr.
Dixon was lucky to have survived this heart attack, as they are
the nation's number 1 killer of adult males with over 800,000
deaths/year. The keys to his survival were the quick action
by his wife by calling 911 and the EMTs, who administered
life-saving, on-scene assessment and treatments that contributed
greatly to his survival. Prompt emergency room care by
physicians and critical personnel, coupled with proper treatments
and care gave this patient a second chance. In the long
run, and to help reduce further cardiac problems, Mr. Dixon will
have to make several lifestyle changes: These will include
controlling weight and making dietary changes, reducing
work-related stress, stopping smoking and implementing a plan for
moderate exercise.
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