Cardiac surgery is an unavoidable intervention when treating various life-threatening diseases. A common complication following cardiac surgery is dysrhythmia, which necessitates the placement of epicardial leads and temporary pacing. Epicardial leads remain in place temporarily—often 3 to 5 days postoperatively—until the risk of dysrhythmia has subsided.1 Each hospital has guidelines for removing such leads, typically at the bedside in an intensive care unit (ICU) or a cardiac step-down unit. Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening complication that can occur following the removal of epicardial leads. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to diagnose by using conventional cardiac monitoring approaches (eg, electrocardiography). Early recognition, prompt diagnosis, and expedient intervention are pivotal to ensuring a positive outcome for the patient. In this column we provide critical care advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) with an updated review of the diagnosis and management of cardiac tamponade following the removal of epicardial pacing wires. We also...
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Winter 2020
Issues in Advanced Practice|
December 15 2020
Cardiac Tamponade Following the Removal of Epicardial Pacing Wires: Critical Care APRN Toolkit
Ashleigh G. VanBlarcom, DNP, AGACNP-BC, CCRN;
Ashleigh G. VanBlarcom, DNP, AGACNP-BC, CCRN
Ashleigh G. VanBlarcom is Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Cardiac Surgery, Michigan Medicine, 1500 E Medical Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5871 SPC 5871 ([email protected]).
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Cristina A. Wojack, MS, AGACNP-BC, CCRN;
Cristina A. Wojack, MS, AGACNP-BC, CCRN
Cristina A. Wojack is Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Cardiac Surgery, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan.
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Jesus Casida, PhD, RN, APN-C, FAAN
Jesus Casida, PhD, RN, APN-C, FAAN
Department Editor
Jesus Casida is Associate Professor and MSN in Health Systems Management Track Coordinator, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland.
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AACN Adv Crit Care (2020) 31 (4): 410–415.
Citation
Ashleigh G. VanBlarcom, Cristina A. Wojack, Jesus Casida; Cardiac Tamponade Following the Removal of Epicardial Pacing Wires: Critical Care APRN Toolkit. AACN Adv Crit Care 15 December 2020; 31 (4): 410–415. doi: https://doi.org/10.4037/aacnacc2020324
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