According to the report, determining whether a patient has a CIED should be based on a focused history including medical records review, patient interview and review of available chest x-rays, electrocardiograms and rhythm strip information, as well as a focused physical exam.
Defining the type of device is accomplished by obtaining the manufacturer’s identification card from the patient or other source and ordering chest x-rays if no other data is available.
CIED dependence for pacemaking function can be determined through a verbal history or indication in the medical record that a patient has experienced a bradyarrhythmia that has caused a syncope. Dependence can also be determined through a history of successful atrioventricular nodal ablation resulting in CIED placement.
CIED function is ideally assessed through a comprehensive evaluation of the device.
Read the Anesthesiology abstract on CIED patients.
Read more on anesthesia:
–Optical Laryngoscopes Beat Out Rigid for Novices Performing Tracheal Intubation
–Physicians Criticize Hospira’s Decision to Halt Anesthetic Production
