title: Critical cardiovascular skills and procedures in the emergency department.
abstract: The management of cardiovascular emergencies is a fundamental component of the practice of an emergency practitioner. Delays in the evaluations and management can lead to significant morbidity or mortality. It is of vital importance to be familiar with procedures such as pericardiocentesis, cardioversion, defibrillation, temporary pacing, and options for the management of tachyarrhythmias. This article discusses the most common cardiovascular procedures encountered in an emergency setting, including the indications, contraindications, equipment, technique, and complications for each procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Wake Emergency Physicians, PA, 3000 New Bern Avenue, Medical Office Building, Raleigh, NC 27610, USA. l'italien@weppa.org
authors.forename: Anita J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: L'italien
mesh_terms: D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods; D004630:Emergencies; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced / Q000379:methods; D020519:Pericardiocentesis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy