Watch AF-MI patients closely

Patients with atrial fibrillation and acute myocardial infarction have an increased risk of stroke and 30-day mortality, say Global Utilization of Streptokinase and TPA for Occluded Coronary Arteries (GUSTO-I) trial researchers at Duke Clinical Research Institute in Durham, NC. Patients with hemodynamic compromise have a hospital course typically complicated by three-vessel coronary artery disease. The recommend aggressive treatment strategies in this subgroup of patients, including anticoagulation and cardioversion.

^Reference

1. Crenshaw BS, Ward SR, Granger CB, et al. Atrial fibrillation in the setting of acute myocardial infarction: The GUSTO-I experience. J Am Coll Cardiol 1997; 30:406-413.

• Phil Rogers, RN, CCRN, case manager, cardiovascular surgery, Owen Heart Center, Mission Hospital, Asheville, NC. Telephone: (704) 259-3589. Internet: http://www.msjhs.org

• Mark A. Groh, MD, cardiac surgeon, Memorial Mission Hospital, Asheville, NC. Telephone: (704) 258-1121.

• Janis W. Richmond, RN, Washington Adventist Hospital, Takoma Park, MD. Telephone: (301) 891-5313.

• Robert Luttman, principal, Robert Luttman and Associates, Medfield, MA. Telephone: (617) 327-6253.

• Michelle Pelling, MBA, RN, president, PROPELL, Portland, OR. Telephone: (503) 641-1987.

• Joe Doescher, BS, CCP, perfusionist, St. Francis Hospital and Health Centers, Beech Grove, IN 46107. Telephone: (317) 783-8876.

• Pamela Lipe, RN, CNOR, director, surgical services, Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital, Florence, AL 35631. Telephone: (205) 767-9213.

• Madeline Massengale, director, industry relations, Perfusion Services, Baxter Healthcare Corp., San Diego, CA 92127. Telephone: (800) 348-4565.

• Sharon Baschon, RN, The Baschon Group, Durham, NC. Telephone: (919) 383-1108.