The dangers of cardiac myxomas.

A variety of cardiac tumors have been acknowledged in the literature since the 16th century as rare forms of cardiac disease. Of the primary tumors, myxomas account for at least 30% to 50% of benign tumors. Despite significant advances in cardiac diagnostics leading to early recognition of myxomas, the potential for deleterious effects secondary to embolic complications remains high.

Pain in adults post surgical repair of congenital heart defects.

The purpose of this study was to describe pain in adults post surgical repair for congenital heart defects. What is the intensity, sensory, and affective dimensions of pain experienced post-operatively? What is the trend in pain experienced post-operatively over time? What is the effectiveness of post-operative pain management strategies? What factors influence the dimensions of post-operative pain experienced? A descriptive prospective repeated measures design was used with 30 adult congenital heart (ACH) post-operative patients. Pain assessments using the McGill Short Form Questionnaire (MSFQ), a visual analogue pain scale (VAP), and recordings of other variables (analgesic, anxiety, activity level, non-pharmacologic intervention) were performed three times daily until hospital discharge.

Timing of hemodynamic pressure measurements on derived hemodynamic parameters.

The purpose of this study was to examine the difference between hemodynamic pressures and parameters obtained pre- compared to post-thermodilution CO measurements. A repeated measures within subject design was conducted with a cardiac surgical cohort. Three measures of hemodynamic pressures and parameters were determined pre- and post-CO measurements (Set 1) and repeated in 30 minutes (Set 2).