How to survive in the ICCU night shift

Training in the more intensive aspects of acute cardiac care varies considerably across Europe. In some countries, there are formal rotations through cardiac ICU or ICCU but in others experience is gained on a more ad hoc basis.
In either situation, young cardiology trainees are often the first to be called when a cardiac patient’s condition deteriorates.

Even if you are only on call for a non-intensive CCU, it is crucial to know when the patient needs transfer to a more intensive unit and what you can do to prevent the situation deteriorating to this degree. In the early stages of your training dealing with the deteriorating patient at night when less senior support is available is a major challenge.
 
In this session from the ESC Congress 2014, we are privileged to hear three high quality talks from experts in the field.
First, Susanna Price talks about invasive and non-invasive ventilation.
Then, Christiaan Vrints takes us through acute kidney injury, prevention as well as treatment with renal replacement therapy.
Finally, Iwan Van de Horst covers inotropic support, clearly distinguishing which hypotensive patients will benefit and why.

There is something here for anyone with an interest in acute cardiac care at any stage of your training.

David Walker, ACCA committee Web, Comm and Press Chaiperson