Pacemaker Code

CARDIOLOGY

Pacemakers use a 5-letter code. The first 3 letters are the most important 1st Letter: Chamber Paced A= Atrium V= Ventricle D= Dual (A+V) 2nd Letter: Chamber Sensed A= Atrium V= Ventricle D= Dual (A+V) O= None 3rd Letter: Response after Sensing (i.e. Response to...

ProBNP is low in Obese Patients

CARDIOLOGY

  “Overweight and obese patients with acute CHF have lower circulating NT-proBNP and BNP levels, suggesting a BMI-related defect in natriuretic peptide secretion. NT-proBNP fell below the diagnostic cutoff for CHF less often than BNP in overweight and obese...

What Troponin Level Indicates a Heart Attack?

CARDIOLOGY

The definition of a myocardial infarction or heart attack is made using a high troponin level and at least one of several symptoms. Click here to see the definition of a myocardial infarction. In our lab, the normal range is 0.00-0.034. Any troponin level greater than...

The HEART Score is Better than the TIMI Score

CARDIOLOGY

HEART score, like TIMI and others, is a validated tool for risk stratifying patients. But they are different. Comparing HEART Score with TIMI Many Emergency Medicine doctors prefer HEART score. MDCalc.com says, “Newer chest pain risk scores such as the HEART...

Indications for Echocardiography in ACS Patients

CARDIOLOGY

-Echocardiogram (TTE) is indicated in all patients with confirmed acute MI to evaluate for regional and segmental ventricular function which influences therapy. -Echocardiography is not routinely performed for diagnosis of MI but may be helpful when a patient presents...