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MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: Depending on activity level, the heart beats about 60 to 100 times per minute. It may be higher during exercise or lower at rest. A normal heart rate and rhythm ensures the delivery of oxygen-rich blood to all of the body's organs, such as the brain and lungs. A group of cells in the heart, called the cardiac conduction system, uses electrical impulses to control the speed and rhythm of each heartbeat. Each heartbeat starts in the right atrium in the sinoatrial, or SA node, then spreads through the walls of the heart chambers, called the atria, and ventricles causing them to contract. This process repeats with each heartbeat. Problems with the cardiac conduction system cause the heart to have an abnormal rhythm called an arrhythmia. This may cause an irregular pulse. Arrhythmias may happen in the atria or ventricles. Types of arrhythmia include fibrillation, which is an irregular heartbeat rhythm, tachycardia, which is a fast heartbeat of more than 100 beats per minute, and bradycardia, which is a slow heartbeat of less than 60 beats per minute. Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia. Random impulses cause the atria to fibrillate, or twitch, rapidly and randomly. Tachycardia in the atria is called supraventricular tachycardia. In focal atrial tachycardia, small areas within the atria wall, start or pass along impulses that cause the atria to contract rapidly, but with a regular rhythm. In atrial flutter, larger areas within the atrial wall start or pass along impulses that cause the atria to contract rapidly, but with a regular rhythm. Tachycardia may also happen in the ventricles with rapid and regular contractions. The body may not receive enough blood because the ventricles contract before completely filling with blood. The most serious arrhythmia is ventricular fibrillation where many random impulses fire rapidly within the ventricular walls. In ventricular fibrillation, the ventricles are quivering instead of beating. This is a medical emergency because the heart cannot effectively pump blood to the body or itself. Sometimes, problems with the SA node or problems with the pathway of the electrical impulses to the ventricles can cause the slow heartbeat in bradycardia. If the heart beats too slowly, the body may not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. Depending on the type of arrhythmia, a doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments, lifestyle changes, such as eating a heart healthy diet, exercising, and quitting smoking, medication, such as antiarrhythmic drugs and beta blockers, catheter ablation where thin wires inserted into the heart destroy the tissue causing the arrhythmia with hot or cold energy, and implantable devices, such as a pacemaker or defibrillator to correct the pace or rhythm of the heart.
"Thank you for the splendid medical-legal art work you did for us in the
case of a young girl who was blinded by a bb pellet. As a result of your
graphic illustrations of this tragic injury, we were able to persuade the
insurance company to increase their initial offer of $75,000.00 to
$475,000.00, just short of their policy limits.
We simply wanted you to know how pleased we were with your work which, to
repeat, was of superlative character, and to let you know that we would be
more than willing to serve as a reference in case you ever need one. Many
thanks for an extraordinary and dramatic depiction of a very serious injury
which clearly "catapulted" the insurance company's offer to a "full and
fair" amount to settle this case."
Philip C. Coulter Coulter &Coulter Roanoke, VA
"Medical illustrations are essential during trial for any medical malpractice case. The people at MLA have the uncanny ability of creating medical illustrations that simplify the most complex of medical concepts and human anatomy to a lay audience. The exhibits of MLA allow experts to easily describe complex concepts and human anatomy in a manner that could
not be done otherwise.
In addition, their custom illustrations show in great detail the extent of
injuries suffered and the devastating effects they have had on the client's
anatomy. These custom illustration can show, side by side, the body before
and after a catastrophic injury. The effect of this juxtaposition is
unmatched by any testimony that can be adduced at the time of trial.
Even jurors after trial have commented on the ease with which they grasp
medical concepts and anatomy once the MLA exhibits were introduced and
used by my experts. Even judges who have "seen it all" are thoroughly
impressed by the detail and sophistication of the illustrations.
"It is my experience that it's much more effective to show a jury what
happened than simply to tell a jury what happened. In this day and age where
people are used to getting information visually, through television and
other visual media, I would be at a disadvantage using only words.
I teach a Litigation Process class at the University of Baltimore Law Schooland use [Medical Legal Art's] animation in my class. Students always saythat they never really understood what happened to [to my client] until theysaw the animation.
Animations are powerful communication tools that should be used wheneverpossible to persuade juries."
Andrew G. Slutkin Snyder Slutkin & Kopec Baltimore, MD
"I wanted to take some time out to let you know what a wonderful job you did
with the 'collapsed lung/fractured rib' illustrations. They were both
detailed and accurate. My medical expert was comfortable working with them
and he spent at least an hour explaining to the jury the anatomy of the
lungs, the ribs and the injuries depicted in the illustrations. Needless to
say, the jury was riveted to the doctor during his testimony.
The jury returned a verdict for $800,000.00 and I'm sure we would not have
done so well if not for the visualizations we were able to put forth with
your assistance. Lastly, my special thanks to Alice [Senior Medical
Illustrator] who stayed late on Friday night and patiently dealt with my
last minute revisions."
Medical Legal Art creates medical demonstrative evidence (medical
illustrations, drawings, pictures, graphics, charts, medical animations,
anatomical models, and interactive presentations) for use during legal
proceedings, including research, demand letters, client conferences,
depositions, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, mock jury
trials and for use in the courtroom. We do not provide legal or medical
advice. If you have legal questions, you should find a lawyer with whom you
can discuss your case issues. If you have medical questions, you should seek the advice of a healthcare provider.
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