Arrhythmias in women.
Implications for nurses caring for women with arrhythmias include maintaining close monitoring of the QTc interval when administering antiarrhythmic agents and frequent evaluation of patients on antihypertensive drugs, diuretics, and digoxin. Continuous ST segment monitoring should be implemented in female patients after MI. Nurses should serve as a patient advocate for appropriately timed aggressive therapy for the management of CAD or MI in women, comparable to that which would be offered to male patients in a similar clinical situation. ECG monitoring of pregnant patients is imperative if a history of arrhythmias or prolonged QTc is known or even suspected. Numerous research studies have been performed to evaluate the effects, dangers, complications, and contributing factors for cardiac arrhythmias in men and women. Few studies, however, have focused primarily on women in this area. Occasionally, studies may contain small secondary statements about gender differences, but in-depth research regarding arrhythmias if women is lacking. Furthermore, research findings vary among authors and often present conflicting information. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of heart disease and arrhythmias in women and to determine if therapies for arrhythmias should be gender specific.
Paul
S
S
Heart Failure Clinic, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.
D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors