Getting cardiogenic shock patients to the right place-How initial intensive care unit triage decisions impact processes of care and outcomes

The objective of this study was to determine how initial intensive care unit triage decisions impact processes of care and outcomes for emergency department patients hospitalized with cardiogenic shock. Individuals with cardiogenic shock were stratified based upon whether they were initially admitted to a cardiac versus noncardiovascular intensive care setting. Those initially triaged to a noncardiovascular intensive care unit were less likely to receive potentially life-saving interventions, including percutaneous coronary intervention and temporary mechanical circulatory support, and were more likely to see significant delays in these interventions if ultimately used. Additionally, admitting cardiogenic shock patients to noncardiovascular intensive care units may result in worse survival. These findings underscore the importance of appropriate identification and triage of emergency department patients with cardiogenic shock-a potentially critical contribution of contemporary cardiogenic shock teams.