Stručni rad

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2026.65.01.17

Twenty-Year Trends in Treatment in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit of Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center

Krešimir Crljenko orcid.org/0000-0002-5753-9475 ; Department of Cardiology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia  *
Helena Jerkić orcid.org/0000-0002-1650-4735 ; Department of Cardiology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Dorijan Babić ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Marin Pavlov ; University Hospital Dubrava, Zagreb, Croatia
Zdravko Babić orcid.org/0000-0002-7060-8375 ; Department of Cardiology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; ;  School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

* Dopisni autor.

Sažetak

Background: The aim of this study was to determine trends over the past
20 years in the demographic characteristics of patients, frequency of main
and other diagnoses, risk factors, types and numbers of admissions, used
therapeutic agents and procedures, as well as to assess length of stay (LOS)
and outcomes including mortality among patients hospitalized in the Cardiac
correspondence to Krešimir
Crljenko, Department of Cardiology,
Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital
Center, Zagreb, Croatia
kresimir.crljenko@gmail.com
Intensive Care Unit (CICU) of Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center in
Zagreb, Croatia.
Methods: The authors retrogradely collected data from medical records and
the electronic hospital information system on all patients hospitalized in CICU
during March 2003, March 2013 and March 2023, and compared the three
groups of patients.
Results: During the study period, a total of 304 patients were hospitalized.
There was a significant increase in the number of patients during the inves-
tigated time (74, 87 and 143, respectively), including patients referred from
surrounding district/community hospitals (1.4% vs 28.7% vs 34.3%; P < 0.001),
and especially those with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) as the
first diagnosis (6.8% vs 31% vs 28.7%; P < 0.001). The use of echocardiography
became more frequent during the investigated period (33.9 vs 56.5 vs 65.7%;
P < 0.001), as did percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (35.6 vs 61.2 vs
67.8%; P < 0.01). Higher frequencies of antibiotic prescription (3.4 vs 18.8 vs
22.9%; P < 0.01) indicate an increase in the frequency of infections. The medi-
an time of stay in CICU (59 vs 43 vs 22 hours; P < 0.01) and in hospital (10 vs 7
vs 3 days; P < 0.01) showed a decreasing trend in the investigated period, as
did mortality rates (9.5 vs 5.7 vs 2.8%; P < 0.01).
Conclusion: The results indicate an increasing trend in the number of patients
hospitalized in CICU (especially those with STEMI) with a shortening of their stay, higher usage of echocardiography and PCI, and a decrease in mortality.
For significant statistical analysis in the use of mechanical circulatory and re-
spiratory support, as well as continuous renal replacement therapy, a larger
cohort should be investigated.

Ključne riječi

Cardiac intensive care unit; Temporal trends; Acute coronary syndrome; Length of stay; In-hospital mortality

Hrčak ID:

345844

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/345844

Datum izdavanja:

27.3.2026.

Podaci na drugim jezicima: hrvatski

Posjeta: 235 *