Medical Apparatus for Heart Attack Victims?

Question

I'm writing a story and in one scene, my character meets with someone who is hooked up to different medical apparatus to monitor his health and keep him alive. What are some machines that would do this? Can you be specific with thier names and have a brief description of what they are and what they do?

If it helps, the character had a heart attack about three years ago and is the main reason why he is confined to that state. He is not in a coma or paraplegic or anything, but he is old and is in a weakened state. I am basing this part of my story on my own experience with my late grandfather, but I am ignorant of medical technical things. Any help would be great, thanks.

Answer 1

He would primarily be attached to a Cardiac Monitor with electrodes on his chest and any oxygen sensor on his index finger,which would output a constant stream of information including EKG,blood oxygen level, heart rate and blood pressure, he would also probably be given a mixture of air and oxygen through a tube attached to the nostrils or a face mask.
If his cardiac readings and respiration fell below a certain level he would probably be placed on a Ventilator or Respirator with a breathing tube inserted through the mouth into the airway to assist his breathing, this is also referred to as "life Support"
If his heart stopped "cardiac arrest" a nurse or physician would call a "Code Blue" alert and any available doctors and nurses or those assigned to the rescue team would rush to the bedside with the "Crash Cart" and attempt CPR or Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, which would be the treatment of last resort.

Answer 2

ventilator mechanic device for artifical ventilation of the lungs able to control and monitor flow of air to the lungs.tracheostomy operation of cutting the skin over the trachea and making a surgicalwound in the trachea in order to permit an airway during a trachea obstruction. total parenteral nutrition provides patients with nutrients needed thru there veins. also is enteral tube alimentation for patients unable or unwilling to take food by mouthits cheaper thantpn and safer,the tube(g tube) is surgically placedin the stomach through the belly button to speak and you give bolus(so much at one time)or given it thru a pump so ml per hour for a specific amount of hours.intravenous therapy medications needed to maintain patients life and comfort.electrocardiogram monitors patient heart rate,rythem etc hope this helps

Answer 3

Ventricular Assist Device. An external pumping device to assist in the output of the ventricle. Ventricular damage secondary to a Heart attack might need one of these if wating for a heart transplant. These are battery driven devices. The batteries are carried in a back pack.