Prevention of Complications in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Abstract

Contemporary cardiac intensive care units (CICUs) have an increasing prevalence of noncardiovascular comorbidities and multisystem organ dysfunction. However, little guidance exists to support the development of best-practice principles specific to the CICU. This scientific statement evaluates strategies to avoid the potentially preventable complications encountered within contemporary CICUs, focusing on those that are most applicable to the CICU environment. This scientific statement reviews evidence-based practices derived in non-CICU populations, assesses their relevance to CICU practice, and highlights key knowledge gaps warranting further investigation to attenuate patient risk.

Keywords: AHA Scientific Statements; cardiovascular drugs; critical care; cross infection; delirium; prevention; respiration, artificial; shock, cardiogenic.