Stress Testing / A fib

allnurses Guide · Jul 2, 2009

How long is a piece of string? As with everything, it's a balance of risk versus benefit. The AF is rate controlled. Is the patient anticoagulated? History of PE, or current PE? Why are they doing the stress test?

Iamoverworked · Jul 2, 2009

The patient was on a heparin drip, now on coumadin. PE is newly diagnosed. No history of prior PE or DVT.

Negative cardiac enzymes, and no chest pain. Ejection Fraction is 30%.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 2, 2009

Agree w/ghillbert's observation: risk VS benefit.

You said pt has no c/o CP?

New onset CHF?

Has the EF changed recently?

Increasing or new onset SOB/DOE? (depends how big the PE is/was, how much lung is affected?) -- are they trying to sort out why the pt is still SOB, even after initiating PE tx?

Or is the question one of eval exercise capacity/response?

So many unknowns here.

allnurses Guide · Jul 3, 2009

What is the purpose of the stress test, if there's no sign of ischemia?

PageRespiratory! · Jul 3, 2009

2 sets of negative enzymes, chest pain free, and controlled AF on anticoagulants.........I often see Pt's like this for a stress test. What kind of test is ordered? SOB would be my initial concern during the test, unless the PE has resolved.