Recognizing and Managing Asymptomatic Left Ventricular Dysfunction after Myocardial Infarction - Research Paper Example

Recognizing and Managing Asymptomatic Left Ventricular Dysfunction after Myocardial Infarction.Introduction The article titled “Recognizing and Managing Asymptomatic Left Ventricular Dysfunction after Myocardial Infarction” by Nancy M. Albert and Connie Lewis is a peer reviewed research publication that discusses the diagnostic measurements of asymptomatic left ventricular Dysfunction after myocardial infarction as well as the various pharmacologic management options currently available.

According to Albert and Lewis (2008), intervention LVSD in myocardial infarction can be best achieved through the use of various evidence based practices such as timely diagnosis as well as educating patients and nurse clinicians. I agree with this thesis particularly because the absence of symptoms or signs of LVSD in myocardial infarctions makes timely diagnosis of the condition to be significantly crucial for the survival of the affected patients.Assessing Asymptomatic LVSDEpidemiological data on the etiology of Asymptomatic left ventricular Dysfunction in Europe and America suggests that nearly 60% of patients develop the condition after suffering from myocardial infarction.

According to Gheorghiade and Bonow (1998), “myocardial infarctions survivors usually have increased risk of LVSD.” Consequently proper and early disease management models should be established to ensure cases of the disease are detected and managed effectively. Similarly a number of critical pathways can now be effectively used to improve detection and detection of asymptomatic LVSD. On the other hand, one half of LVSD patients are asymptomatic. In this regard, the early detection and management of the condition in post myocardial patients can significantly help nurses to reduce mortality in the asymptomatic cases.

Some of the evidence based practices and techniques employed in the early diagnosis of the disease include radionuclide imaging, echocardiography and ventriculography (Goldberg and Jessup, 2006). All these strategies are important in the intervention of the dysfunction and the improvement of the quality of life in the affected patients.Diagnosis and treatment of risk factors A number of evidenced based practices can be employed in the assessment of LVSD in patients who have suffered from myocardial infarction.

One of the effective multidisciplinary approaches is carrying out an assessment of the disease in myocardial infarction survivors (Timmins and Kaliszer, 2001). Additionally educating such patients on their conditions can help doctors and clinicians to detect and prevent some the risk factors that may increase progression to heart failure. The major risk factors in Myocardial infarction survivors include hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes. On the other hand, proper management of myocardial infarction such as monitoring the patients to assess any case of LVSD and risks factors allows nurses to recommend the best treatments and prevent the occurrence of the dysfunction.

For example “the diagnosis and management of the condition allows nurses and caregivers to improve the outcomes of the cardiovascular patients thereby reducing their mortality rates” (Albert and Lewis, 2008). Lastly, many experts agree that preventing the risk factors can also improve the conditions of the MI survivors in a number of ways. Other Importance of early diagnosis of LVSD The general lack of signs and symptoms of asymptomatic LVSD in post myocardial infarction patients often significantly increase their risks of heart failure and reinfarction.

Any patient who has suffered from MI should be assessed to help in the secondary prevention of conditions such as heart failure related deaths, reinfarction (Gheorghiade and Bonow, 1998). In some cases, the timely detection allows physicians to put measures to prevent the progression of other related cardiovascular events such as diabetes. Consequently the use of best practices in the diagnosis can therefore help the nurses to understand some of the likely progression factors. This consequently enables them to make necessary medical therapy alterations to reduce progression.

According to Albert and Lewis (2008), “a multi disciplinary diagnosis and management approach can significantly help improve the management of the condition”. Goldberg and Jessup (2006) also concur that the use various best management practices but also enables nurses and physicians to undertake effective intervention measures in the treatment of risk factors of Asymptomatic left ventricular Dysfunction in many myocardial infarction survivors. Generally some of the evidenced based practices that can effectively be used improve the diagnosis and management of LSVD include educating patients and nurse clinicians on the various pathophysiological factors as well as the treatment strategies of the disease.

Conclusion In conclusion, the use of evidenced based practices in the diagnosis and management of Asymptomatic left ventricular Dysfunction. This can significantly help in the prevention of the progression of heart failures in patients who have recovered from myocardial infarctions. A multi disciplinary approach is therefore the best way to recognize and manage the disease in the risk patients and help improve their quality of life and survival. This is particularly because such approaches involve a number of intervention strategies ReferencesAlbert N.

, Lewis C. (2008). Recognizing and Managing Asymptomatic Left Ventricular Dysfunction after Myocardial Infarction. Crit Care Nurse, 28, 2, 20-37.Gheorghiade M, Bonow R. (1998). Chronic heart failure in the United States: a manifestation of coronary artery disease. Circulation, 97, 3, 282-289.Goldberg L, Jessup M. (2006). Stage B heart failure: management of asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Circulation, 113, 24, 2851–2860.Timmins, F, Kaliszer, M. (2001). Information needs of myocardial infarction patients.

Eur Journal Cardiovasc Nurs, 2, 1, 57-65.