For older people and frail people, the long-term benefit of medicines reduces and the potential for harm from adverse effects increases. When the benefit–risk balance changes in this way, medicine review and optimisation are important to simplify the therapeutic regimen, reduce inappropriate medicines and minimise risks. In this article, pharmacist prescriber Linda Bryant uses two case studies to illustrate important considerations during medicine reviews
Retired engineer presents needing help for fast and often tiring palpitations
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PRACTICE
Retired engineer presents needing help for fast and often tiring palpitations
Wednesday 24 October 2018, 12:30 AM

The ECG shows atrial flutter with a ventricular rate of 150 beats/minute, a normal axis and a 2-to-1 atrioventricular (AV) block
HEARTBEAT
A patient presents – he is generally well and fit, apart from taking medication for hypertension, but his history of regular palpitations requires some definitive action. Auckland cardiologist Chris Ellis describes the investigation and management for this man
Key points, -Atrial flutter results from a circuit within the right atrium with a rate usually around 300 beats/minute.
-The AV node varyingly blocks every se, ECG heartbeat
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa
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