PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

P G Morton

Publications and source records attributed to P G Morton.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The pacemaker and defibrillator codes: implications for critical care nursing.

Scientific advances in the past few decades have resulted in the development of complex devices capable of treating both brady-dysrhythmias and tachydysrhythmias. Because critical care nurses play a vital role in the safe and effective functioning of these devices, they must understand the operation of the devices and patients' physiological and psychosocial responses to the technology. Careful monitoring, open and caring communication, and relevant patient education will make the important difference in patients' adjustment to use of an antidysrhythmic device.

Abbreviations as Topic

Using the 12-lead ECG to detect ischemia, injury, and infarction.

The 12-lead ECG is extremely valuable in helping the critical care nurse detect the presence of myocardial ischemia, injury, and infarction. With an understanding of the 12-lead ECG, the nurse can relate the ECG findings to the patient's coronary artery disease and can anticipate the clinical consequences both for the functioning of the cardiac muscle and for the cardiac conducting system.

Coronary Circulation

Academic education. Creating a laboratory that simulates the critical care environment.

Educating students and practicing nurses for the complexities and demands of critical care is a challenge. Training in a laboratory that simulates the critical care setting is an excellent teaching method that can be used to supplement lectures and clinical experiences. Developing such a laboratory is an exciting and rewarding process that will promote learning and ultimately benefit the care of critically ill patients.

Clinical Competence

Diagnosis and treatment of acute myocardial infarction.

Rapid diagnosis and treatment of myocardial infarction are essential for maximizing patient survival. Recent advances in early detection of creatine kinase myocardial band isoforms and other chemical markers, as well as increased use of echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and nuclear imaging, have enhanced the diagnostic capabilities for providers caring for a patient suspected of myocardial infarction. In management of myocardial infarction, the focus continues to be primarily on using thrombolytics, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, and coronary bypass surgery. In addition, an array of pharmacologic agents aimed at reducing cardiac muscle damage, alleviating reperfusion injuries, and preventing thrombus formation are undergoing clinical trials. These agents may hold promise for the future treatment of myocardial infarction.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary

Update on new antiarrhythmic drugs.

Although strides have been made in the surgical and technological management of arrhythmias, the widespread use of antiarrhythmic drugs continues as a therapeutic approach. Based on a review of cellular electrophysiology and the classification system of antiarrhythmic drugs, this article addresses the actions, indications, adverse effects, and nursing implications for new antiarrhythmic drugs. Nurses are provided with the essential information about these drugs so that safe and effective therapy can be achieved.

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents

The anaerobic reaction of bovine hemoglobin with divinyl sulfone: structural changes and functional consequences.

The anaerobic reaction of bovine hemoglobin with divinyl sulfone results in a non-cross-linked intramolecularly-modified new derivative. This chemically-modified hemoglobin is homogeneous with respect to its molecular mass (64 kDa) and electrophoretic properties. The absence of any 32 kDa band from its SDS-PAGE pattern proves the lack of intramolecular cross-linkage, while a single-peak high-performance gel-permeation chromatogram demonstrates the absence of intermolecular cross-linkage. The oxygen binding properties determined at 37 degrees C, 0.15 M Cl- and pH 7.4 display a P50 of 52 mmHg and a Hill coefficient n of 1.9. Under the same experimental conditions the oxygen affinity is not sensitive to chloride anions, suggesting that the covelant modification is in the beta-cleft. The maximum number of Bohr protons released is 0.8/tetramer, which is half that of normal bovine hemoglobin. The retention time in circulation, measured in rats, is similar to that of native bovine hemoglobin. Using a high molar ratio of divinyl sulfone to modified hemoglobin, it is feasible to effect anaerobic intermolecular cross-linkage. The polymerized material, isolated from a 24 h reaction, is a mixture of modified intermolecularly-crosslinked hemoglobins with a molecular mass range from 130 to approx. 500 kDa. The oxygen-transport characteristics of the polymerized material are similar to those of the modified non-cross-linked derivative, whereas its retention time in rats is increased three-fold with respect to native bovine hemoglobin.

Allosteric Regulation

Bovine hemoglobin anaerobically reacted with divinyl sulfone: a potential source for hypothermic oxygen carriers.

The bifunctional reagent divinyl sulfone was anaerobically reacted with bovine hemoglobin to give a noncrosslinked intramolecularly-modified new derivative (HbBv-DVS). By employing a high molar ratio of divinyl sulfone to HbBv-DVS, it was possible to effect anaerobic intermolecular crosslinkage. The polymerized material (Poly HbBv-DVS) was shown to consist of a mixture of modified intermolecularly-crosslinked hemoglobins characterized by molecular masses ranging from 130 to -500 kDa. Some functional properties of HbBv-DVS and Poly HbBv-DVS have been evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Viscosities of HbBv-DVS solutions at temperatures as low as 15 degrees C and concentrations up to 14.0 g/dl were proved to be much lower than that of normal human blood at 37 degrees C (-4 cp). Poly HbBv-DVS (14.0 g/dl) was iso-oncotic (COP = 23 mm Hg) with plasma, and had viscosities of 3.37 and 4.57 cp at 37 and 15 degrees C, respectively. The clearance of Poly HbBv-DVS from the circulation was significantly delayed (T1/2 = 270 min), compared with those of HbBv and HbBv-DVS (T1/2 = 80 and 100 min, respectively. The P50 values were substantially increased (P50 = 52 and 61 mm Hg at 37 degrees C, 0.15 M Cl- and pH 7.4 for HbBv-DVS and Poly HbBv-DVS, respectively). Due to their right-shifted oxygen equilibrium curves, these derivatives still yielded P50 values of about 20 mm Hg at the low temperature of 15 degrees C, as compared with only 7 mm Hg for native bovine hemoglobin. These properties make HbBv-DVS and Poly HbBv-DVS potential new candidates for low-temperature organ perfusion.

Animals

Electrocardiographic assessment of right heart dysfunction.

The electrocardiogram, when used in light of other clinical data, can be a powerful tool in detecting right heart dysfunction. Right bundle branch block can be identified on the electrocardiogram by the presence of an RSR' configuration in right-sided chest leads. Right atrial enlargement produces tall pointed P waves in lead II and biphasic P waves in V1, whose initial upstroke is larger than the terminal downstroke. Right ventricular enlargement is best seen on the electrocardiogram by a reverse in the pattern of normal R wave progression across the precordium. Occurring most often with an inferior wall myocardial infarction, a right ventricular infarction is depicted by ST segment elevations in right-sided precordial leads. The ability to detect these electrocardiographic changes will enhance the nurse's assessment and management of patients with right heart dysfunctions.

Atrial Function, Right

Rate-responsive cardiac pacemakers.

Pacemaker technology continues to advance in the direction of restoring a normal hemodynamic response under varying physiologic conditions. Rate-responsive pacemakers meet this challenge by adjusting the pacing rate in response to a sensed physiologic variable other than sinus node activity. In an effort to design the ideal rate-responsive system, various physiologic cues have been tested. To translate shifts in the sensed physiologic indicator into an appropriate pacing rate, specialized sensor systems also have been developed and include mechanical, chemical, thermal, and electrical sensors. Although each sensor system offers advantages and disadvantages, continued research and clinical experience will determine the future of this exciting new form of cardiac pacing.

Cardiac Output

Managing assault.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Communication