The Canadian journal of cardiology
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The Canadian Cardiovascular Society Guidelines Committee and key Canadian opinion leaders believed there was a need for up to date guidelines that used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system of evidence assessment for patients who undergo noncardiac surgery. Strong recommendations included: 1) measuring brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal fragment of proBNP (NT-proBNP) before surgery to enhance perioperative cardiac risk estimation in patients who are 65 years of age or older, are 45-64 years of age with significant cardiovascular disease, or have a Revised Cardiac Risk Index score ≥ 1; 2) against performing preoperative resting echocardiography, coronary computed tomography angiography, exercise or cardiopulmonary exercise testing, or pharmacological stress echocardiography or radionuclide imaging to enhance perioperative cardiac risk estimation; 3) against the initiation or continuation of acetylsalicylic acid for the prevention of perioperative cardiac events, except in patients with a recent coronary artery stent or who will undergo carotid endarterectomy; 4) against α2 agonist or β-blocker initiation within 24 hours before surgery; 5) withholding angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin II receptor blocker starting 24 hours before surgery; 6) facilitating smoking cessation before surgery; 7) measuring daily troponin for 48 to 72 hours after surgery in patients with an elevated NT-proBNP/BNP measurement before surgery or if there is no NT-proBNP/BNP measurement before surgery, in those who have a Revised Cardiac Risk Index score ≥1, age 45-64 years with significant cardiovascular disease, or age 65 years or older; and 8) initiating of long-term acetylsalicylic acid and statin therapy in patients who suffer myocardial injury/infarction after surgery.
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Over the past half century, coronary care units have expanded from specialized ischemia arrhythmia monitoring units into intensive care units (ICUs) for acutely ill and medically complex patients with a primary cardiac diagnosis. Patients admitted to contemporary coronary intensive care units (CICUs) are at risk for common and preventable critical care complications, yet many CICUs have not adopted standard-of-care prevention protocols and practices from general ICUs. In this article, we (1) review evidence-based interventions and care bundles that reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, excess sedation during mechanical ventilation, central line infections, stress ulcers, malnutrition, delirium, and medication errors and (2) recommend pragmatic adaptations for common conditions in critically ill patients with cardiac disease, and (3) provide example order sets and practical CICU protocol implementation strategies.
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Review
Simulation as a Tool to Ensure Competency and Quality of Care in the Cardiac Critical Care Unit.
Cardiac critical care units are high-risk clinical environments. Medical emergencies are frequent and require the intervention of a cohesive, efficient, and well trained interprofessional team. In modern clinical practice there is increased emphasis on safety but also increased lack of acceptance of medical errors and as a consequence, increased litigation. ⋯ Nevertheless, many influential medical societies are now promoting a simulation-based approach for cardiovascular training and continuing medical education. In this article we review the simulation literature in the intensive care unit and evaluate its integration in coronary care units and postoperative cardiovascular intensive care units. We also provide resources for educators and clinicians who wish to implement simulation workshops in these settings.
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Patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel disease (MVD) most commonly are treated with culprit-only percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, this has been recently challenged, suggesting benefit with complete revascularization (CR). Still, these latest findings are largely based on clinical trials powered for composite outcomes that frequently include "softer" end points. We performed a meta-analysis comparing routine culprit-only PCI vs CR in STEMI, with an emphasis on "hard" clinical end points. ⋯ In STEMI with MVD, there is insufficient evidence to support a reduction in death/MI with CR. Our results reinforce the need for larger clinical trials powered for robust clinical end points.