As a general rule, a patient experiencing a left ventricular infarctionThe necrosis of tissue; acute myocardial infarction involves the acute death of myocardial cells. 1. Six Second ECG Guidebook (2012), T Barill, p. 198 – anterior, lateral or anterolateral MI – should be managed with particular attention to preloadTechnically the end-diastolic pressure of either the left or right ventricles; simplified as the blood volume supplied to the left or right ventricles; note that the more volume or preload, the greater the myocardial stretch and forceful the contraction; increased.... Fluids should be administered cautiously. Medications that reduce preload and afterloadThe pressure that the ventricle (right or left) must overcome to eject blood (i.e. the left ventricle pumps against aortic diastolic pressure and systemic vascular resistance. The resistance to the ejection of blood by the ventricle is called afterload. The... can be very therapeutic: nitroglycerin, morphine and lasix for example. Also, routinely assess for left ventricular failure: lung congestion, falling blood pressure, increased breathing rateHeart Rate; calculated by counting the number of QRS complexes in six seconds and multiplying by 10; rate is also determined by measuring the number of large squares between two R waves; i.e. –1 large square = heart rate of 300/minute. and falling oxygen saturations.
Note that aspirin, beta blockers and thrombolytics are the three pillars in the treatment of most AMI events.
1. Six Second ECG GuidebookA Practice Guide to Basic and 12 Lead ECG Interpretation, written by Tracy Barill, 2012 Introduction The ability to correctly interpret an electrocardiogram (ECG), be it a simple six second strip or a 12 lead ECG, is a vital skill... (2012), T Barill, p. 39