Reflections on the process of auditing myocardial infarction.

The publication of the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease has meant that audit is becoming an increasingly important part of cardiac healthcare provision in England. Comparisons between hospitals will be made so it is essential that the audit data is as robust as possible. Nurses often play a key role in the collection of such data.

[Is mucinous colorectal adenocarcinoma a distinct entity?].

Introduction: Several publications have demonstrated that mucinous carcinomas of the colon and rectum are associated with certain clinicopathological and genetic peculiarities that distinguish them from non-mucinous carcinomas. The principal aim of this study was to evaluate whether the biological behavior of mucinous carcinomas differs from that of intestinal carcinomas in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.

Patients: Between January 1993 and December 2000, 215 patients.

Applying an ECG database to aid decision-making in the A&E.

Accident and Emergency departments are increasingly playing a significant role in the management of acutely ill patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction. In particular, the shift towards A&E thrombolysis is helping reduce's door to needle' times. Whereas many of these patients have classic symptoms associated with obviously diagnostic ECGs, others may present diagnostic difficulties.

What's the point of ST elevation?

Objective: The magnitude of ST elevation is a key piece of information in the decision to thrombolyse in acute myocardial infarction. The ability of clinicians to reliably identify ST elevation has not been previously assessed. This study sought to determine the variability in assessment of ST elevation in a group of doctors who commonly prescribe thrombolysis.