Electrocardiogram functions

During tiie ongoing assessment, tiie nurse assesses the respiratory status every 4 hours and whenever tiie drug is administered. The nurse notes the respiratory rate, lung sounds, and use of accessory muscles in breathing, hi addition, tiie nurse keeps a careful record of the intake and output and reports any imbalance, which may indicate a fluid overload or excessive diuresis. It is important to monitor any patient with a history of cardiovascular problems for chest pain and changes in the electrocardiogram. The primary health care provider may order periodic pulmonary function tests, particularly for patients with emphysema or bronchitis, to help monitor respiratory status. 

Serum levels (digoxin) may be ordered daily during the period of digitalization and periodically during maintenance therapy. Periodic electrocardiograms, serum electrolytes, hepatic and renal function tests, and other laboratory studies also may be ordered. 

An arrhythmia may occur as a result of heart disease or from a disorder that affects cardiovascular function. Conditions such as emotional stress, hypoxia, and electrolyte imbalance also may trigger an arrhythmia An electrocardiogram (ECG) provides a record of the electrical activity of the heart. Careful interpretation of the ECG along with a thorough physical assessment is necessary to determine the cause and type of arrhythmia The goal of antiarrhythmic drug therapy is to restore normal cardiac function and to prevent life-threatening arrhythmias. 

Grabowski CT. 1983b. The electrocardiogram of fetal and newborn rats and dysrhythmias induced by toxic exposure. In Abnormal functional development of the heart, lungs and kidneys Approches to functional teratology. New York, NY Alan R Liss, Inc., 185-206. 

Cardiovascular Effects. One of the patients described by Letz et al. (1984) (see Section 2.2.3.1) who had a terminal cardiopulmonary arrest had acute myocardial interstitial edema, myocardial inflammation, and Gram-positive sporulating rods at necropsy. The second patient initially had a normal electrocardiogram, but as his renal and hepatic function deteriorated, eventually developed supraventricular tachycardia and asystole. 

Parameters to monitor Perform the following laboratory tests prior to and periodically during lithium therapy Serum creatinine complete blood count urinalysis sodium and potassium fasting glucose electrocardiogram and thyroid function tests. Check lithium serum levels twice weekly until dosage is stabilized. Once steady state has been reached, monitor the level weekly. Once the patient is on maintenance therapy, the level may be checked every 2 to 3 months. 

Continuously monitor the electrocardiogram, blood pressure, and respiratory function and observe the patient throughout the period of maximal serum phenytoin concentrations, approximately 10 to 20 minutes after the end of the infusion. 

Electrocardiographs usually have a built-in facihty for generating an electrical impulse of known intensity. This facility should be used during the recording of electrocardiograms to check periodically on the proper functioning of the equipment. 

Medical history and a physical examination should be completed for every patient. Given the physiological changes during ECT, the physical examination should include assessment of the airway, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and central nervous systems. Eaboratory examinations may include a blood count, liver and thyroid function tests, urine analysis, and electrocardiogram (EKG). Other investigations such as skeletal X-ray, completed tomographic (CT) scan of the... 

Benign flattening of the T wave on the electrocardiogram occurs in 20%-30% of patients taking lithium (Bucht et al. 1984). In addition, lithium may suppress the function of the sinus node and result... 

As soon as possible, lithium and serum electrolyte levels should be measured, renal function tests performed, and an electrocardiogram obtained. 

Giardina EGV, Bigger JT Jr, Glassman AH. Comparison between imipramine and desmethylimipramine on the electrocardiogram and left ventricular function. Ctin Pharmacot Ther 1982 31 230. 

In a cross-sectional study of workers exposed to 1,1,1-trichloroethane in two textile mills (for 149/151, duration of exposure more than 12 months, for 135/151, estimated current exposure level (50-250 ppm [273-1365 mg/m ])), no differences in the reported symptoms, electrocardiograms or laboratory examinations pertaining to liver function were observed (Kramer et al., 1978). Case reports describing hepatic damage after exposure to 1,1,1-trichloroethane have been published (Cohen Frank, 1994). 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE Measurement of cardiac function and morphology is a key part of the preclinical evaluation of experimental medicinal compounds. Blood pressure, heart rate, and electrocardiogram evaluation are part of the core portfolio of safety pharmacology studies carried out in conscious telemetry dogs. If results from the core battery of tests raise concern then supplemental studies are conducted to measure endpoints such as left ventricular pressure, pulmonary arterial pressure, heart rate variability, baroreflex, cardiac output, ventricular contractility and vascular resistance. However, many... 

Cardiac function in healthy persons could be affected by low to moderate carbon monoxide exposures (Davies and Smith 1980). Six matched groups of young healthy subjects lived in a closed environmental chamber for 18 d and were exposed continuously to carbon monoxide at concentrations of 15 or 50 ppm in air during the middle 8 d. Unequivocal P-wave electrocardiogram (ECG) changes were observed during exposure in 3 of the 15 subjects exposed at 15 ppm (2.4% COHb) and in 6 of 15 subjects exposed at 50 ppm (7.1% COHb), compared with none of the 14 exposed at 0 ppm (0.5% COHb). 

Chlorine plant workers (382 control workers) Inha- lation and der- mal 0.006-1.42 10.9 yr (average employment) No statistically significant signs or symptoms observed on a dose-response basis, compared with 382 control workers, for abnormal chest X-rays, electrocardiograms, pulmonary function. Controls were age matched. Patil et al. 1970... 

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