Biomedical subjects

L A Brzozowski

Publications and source records attributed to L A Brzozowski.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1998

Swallowing in patients with tracheotomies.

Swallowing and respiration are well-coordinated and interdependent functions. When one of these processes is impaired, the ramifications may be negative for the other. This article describes the mechanics of normal swallowing, the disorders of swallowing, the effects of tracheotomy and mechanical ventilation on swallowing, and the procedures used to assess and treat swallowing. Combining a basic understanding of these concepts with practical management can increase safe and efficient oral intake in patients with artificial airways.

Deglutition↗

PubMed1995

Myocardial protection during cardiac surgery.

Increased understanding of the effects of ischemia on the myocardium has led to advances in the field of myocardial protection during cardiac surgery. These advances, combined with improved surgical techniques, have contributed to the success of cardiac surgery and the ability to revascularize high-risk populations. The most common technique used to protect the myocardium is cardioplegia administration. Although it is the surgeon's responsibility to decide on solution composition, temperature, and direction of delivery, it is the bedside nurse who monitors the patient after surgery. Armed with knowledge about the essential concepts of myocardial protection, the critical care nurse will be prepared to care adequately for the patient after cardiac surgery.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗

PubMed1992

Wide QRS complex tachycardia.

Electrocardiographic monitoring for dysrhythmias is a major responsibility of critical care nurses, and patients with wide QRS complex tachycardias present a challenge. Criteria for differentiating the impulse origin as ventricular or supraventricular are well documented: QRS duration, QRS morphology, QRS axis, and presence of atrioventricular dissociation. However, definitive diagnosis can only be made by invasive electrophysiologic studies. Knowledge of treatment protocols is important to prevent hemodynamic deterioration. Procainamide is effective for treating ventricular and supraventricular dysrhythmias and is the drug of choice unless certainty of impulse origin exists.

Critical Care↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Antiarrhythmic propafenone: improving patient outcomes.

Propafenone which is distributed as Rythmol by Knoll Pharmaceuticals (Whippany, New Jersey) is a class IC antiarrhythmic agent approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with life-threatening, malignant ventricular arrhythmias. It is still under investigation for use in patients with non-malignant ventricular arrhythmias, supraventricular arrhythmias, and atrial fibrillation or flutter. This author describes the pharmacokinetics and nurse's role for improving outcomes for patients on propafenone.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗