Impact of evolving cardiac catheterisation services on admissions to a regional ICU

A total of 170 patients were identified (representing 2.9% of critical care admissions
during this time). Baseline characteristics: 71.7% male, median age 66 (IQR 55 to
74), median APACHE score 18 (IQR 15 to 23). Seventy-one patients (41.7%) had an APACHE
score 20. Fifteen patients (8.8%) were aged 80 years. Admissions increased yearly
– 20 in 2010, 26 in 2011, 35 in 2012, 47 in 2013, 37 at the end of the third quarter
of 2014 (projected 59 admissions by year end 2014). Median length of stay was 3.5
days (IQR 1.8 to 7.2). Average length of stay reduced yearly (9.14 days in 2010 to
5.01 days in 2014). ICU bed-days per year remained static over the 5-year period.
Critical care and hospital mortality rates were 33% and 39% respectively. There was
a trend towards increasing mortality yearly, and with increasing age and APACHE score.