Abstract

Mechanical support devices have long been used in patients undergoing high-risk percutaneous interventions and to treat patients who present with hemodynamic instability and cardiogenic shock. Surgical left ventricular assist devices and cardiopulmonary bypass systems have been utilized to provide increased levels of hemodynamic support; however, these devices are associated with significant morbidity. There have been considerable advancements in developing safe, effective, easy-to-use, miniaturized, mechanical support devices in patients undergoing high-risk percutaneous revascularization and to treat hemodynamic instability.

Why is the role of the nurse in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients so critical?

Nurses play a key role in the care of ACS patients. The nurse is the healthcare provider at the patient’s bedside 24/7, assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating care.¹ At every entry point in the healthcare system, nurses are utilizing their triage and decision-making skills to provide the best possible care for the best possible patient outcomes. Triaging of potential ACS cases requires skills in rapid assessment and risk stratification.

In today’s competitive healthcare environment, effective program differentiation is a significant challenge. And, as many hospitals begin to realize the effects of healthcare reform and prepare for further changes in the years to come, achieving a competitive edge — and maintaining it — isn’t easy.

Every year, we get a new group of cardiology fellows-in-training who are unfamiliar with angiograms and the angulations needed to best display the coronary arteries. Almost as frequently are the visitors to the cath lab or new trainees in the cath lab who are in need of an orientation to the angiogram, and its specific angulations and abnormalities.