文摘
The Chest Pain Unit (CPU) Task Force of the German Cardiac Society has elaborated prerequisites for a CPU certification program. To become a certified CPU, a facility must have 24-h cath lab capabilities, 24-h access to clinical chemistry, at least four intermediate care beds, and the capability for echocardiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and abdominal ultrasound. The transfer time from the CPU to the cath lab should not exceed 15 minutes. The facility must demonstrate well-defined processes to evaluate moderate- and low-risk patients with chest pain that minimize unnecessary admissions and inappropriate discharges. This means that CPUs must have well-defined pathways when an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patient arrives at their facility, including ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-STEMI (NSTEMI), unstable angina (UA) and low-risk patients. Nurses and doctors in the CPU should have education and training opportunities and undergo practice drills. Doctors should have a sound knowledge of echocardiography and intensive care medicine. The Chest Pain Unit must be headed by a cardiologist.