[Nurses and doctors in the management of arrhytmic complications: the case of electric storm in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator].
The evolution of arrhythmologic technology introduced new therapeutic opportunities for cardiology patients. Competence, continuity of care, integration and collaboration between medical doctors and nurses allow a safe management of short and long term complications. A typical example of a new arrhythmic complication is the "electrical storm" or "arrhythmic warm up" in patients implanted with a cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). The definition and epidemiology of the electrical storm stress the relevance of this clinical situation; its dramatic emergency involves several aspects of nursing care, clinical, prognostic, ethical and deontological. The definition and implementation of an integrated protocol for the treatment of this condition is described and ethical and unresolved questions are rised. One of these problems is the recommendation to offer the patient the opportunity to receive information about the option of inactivating the ICD.
Plebani
Laura
L
S.S.v.d.O. Elettrofisiologia e Cardiostimolozione, Dipartimento Cardiovascolare, AO Moggiore della Carità, Novara.
Occhetta
Eraldo
E
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000465:Algorithms; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019555:Physician-Nurse Relations; D011379:Prognosis; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014700:Verapamil / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides; D008012:Lidocaine; D014700:Verapamil; D000638:Amiodarone