What’s the Fad with LVADs?

 - A look at Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) and how they may change your Patient Care, Assessment and Treatment Plan as a Prehospital Care Provider. You may have come across one out on the road, or you may have never even heard of one. A Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) is a mechanical pump …

My Stepwise Approach to ECG Interpretation

 I have been questioned a few times recently as to my own personal approach to 12-Lead ECG Interpretation. I am aware that there are a variety of methods out there, yet this is the method that works for me. By employing a stepwise approach to each and every ECG trace that you interpret throughout your …

A Review of the R-CAT Arrhythmias & STEMI Booklets (Medical Aide Memoire)

Good Afternoon! I was sent a package earlier this week from the team at Medical Aide Memoire (MAM) (http://www.medicalaidememoire.com/) to take a look at their two most recent products; the ‘R-CAT Arrhythmias’ booklet and the ‘R-CAT STEMI’ booklet. As some of you may already know, MAM have been supporting us with prizes through some of …

An Irregularly Irregular ECG – It must be Atrial Fibrillation… or is it?

You have taken your Patient’s pulse and have found it to be pretty irregular. In fact, there isn’t any pattern to the irregularity at all. It could be said that you have found their pulse to be irregularly irregular. You explain to your patient that you would like to carry out an ECG (at least …

PVCs: What are they? What causes them?

‘’Student, Can you Press Print Please; I can see a Bunch of PVCs on the Patient’s ECG!’’ ..PVCs? What are they? Should I be concerned?.. A PVC (Premature Ventricular Contraction) is exactly what it says on the tin. It is a ventricular contraction, that occurs EARLIER than expected and/or wanted! Remember, a whole variety of …

A look at the Isolated Posterior MI.

ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) is an ECG presentation that meets the criteria for reperfusion with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PPCI) - But do all types of Myocardial Infarction (MI) present with ST-Elevation on a Standard 12-Lead ECG? A look at the Isolated Posterior MI                      Time …

What Actually Causes ST Changes on an ECG?

  Good evening, hope you’re all doing well! Thank you for all of the peer discussions so far this year, CPD events with @PreHospECG and on-going learning support; a fantastic start to 2016.  I have never really looked into the electrophysiological depths of ST changes presented on an ECG. What actually causes ST elevation on …