Monitoring of cardiovascular emergencies in the emergency department

Abstract

In the emergency department, patients with potential or confirmed cardiovascular diseases constitute a significant portion of the overall patient population. Monitoring for cardiovascular surveillance of these patients, until and during the diagnostics and acute therapy often presents an interdisciplinary and interprofessional challenge. This is partly due to the limited number of monitoring spaces in emergency departments. Therefore, it is crucial to establish a differentiated indication for cardiovascular monitoring. Despite limited monitoring resources, ensuring high patient safety is paramount. The correct approach holds significant prognostic importance. For patients requiring extended monitoring, especially using invasive systems, close personnel monitoring is essential, in addition to appropriate staffing and medical equipment. The overarching goal for such patients is to ensure prompt transfer to a suitable destination unit. The provision of an intensive care bed for further care within one hour is aimed for according to the directive of the Federal Joint Committee on staged emergency care in hospitals. Often, at the beginning of the emergency department visit, a definitive diagnosis is not yet established - this is addressed accordingly with symptom-oriented considerations. The present review article focuses on the practical Implementation and modalities of monitoring, as well as its application in a selection of cardiovascular diagnoses in the emergency department.