Coronary care unit ST-trending system: interpreting complex output data.

Analysis of the ST segment is an accepted part of the assessment of coronary ischaemia. Traditionally, such analysis has been applied to 12-lead surface electrocardiograms, but it is increasingly applied to 24-hour Holter recordings and bedside monitoring systems, using complex computer algorithms. There is a potential for results to be misleading as a consequence of uncritical acceptance of complex medical data processing.

Fast track: early thrombolysis.

The reduction of cardiac muscle damage post myocardial infarction depends on how fast intravenous thrombolytic therapy can be administered. This article looks at how the appropriately trained nurse can facilitate this early treatment.

Cardiology: improving nurses' resuscitation skills.

Nurses have a crucial role to play in determining whether victims of cardiac arrest survive, but skills vary and, perhaps because of the onerous responsibility placed upon them, some nurses feel less than confident in using their abilities to the full. The author describes a resuscitation training course for staff in one hospital, designed to bolster confidence and to ensure all nurses are equally competent in giving assistance when cardiac arrest occurs.