Monitoring of patients with cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease accounts for about one-third of deaths worldwide. Not surprisingly, health administrators and insurances are interested in monitoring healthcare performance and outcomes through standardized indicators obtained from reliable data. Hospital-based registries of cardiovascular disease patients are currently considered the reference standard in documenting how patients are treated relative to best practice recommendations outside the ideal world of clinical trials. Monitoring is done by special monitors designed to observe patients’ physiological state like heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, respiration and oxygen saturation and have become a standard device for diagnosis, observation, assessment and treatment in coronary care. Changes in vital signs frequently precede deterioration in a patient’s condition and monitors provide valuable information and increase patient safety. Cardiac monitoring is a vital component in the management of the patients with cardiovascular disease. Knowledge of the general condition, location, and extent of a myocardial infarction and effective use of continuous cardiac monitoring will aid the nurse participate in the process of diagnosis and treatment.