Despite this, there is relatively little data on the scale of the problem with cardiogenic shock in the UK. As it has several causes, it’s not particularly well coded within routine data. Both the Intensive Care Society and the British Cardiovascular Society have identified cardiogenic shock as a national research priority and called for data-driven research to improve these outcomes. Patients and the public understand this too — a relative of a patient who survived cardiogenic shock after being transferred for mechanical circulatory support with ECMO told us “it felt like she only had a good outcome because someone knew who to call and she was in the right place at the right time. We need to ensure as many patients as my daughter get the same chance of survival”.
That’s why ICNARC are undertaking a project to understand patients with cardiogenic shock via a new module within the Case Mix Programme, and I’m delighted that from the 21st April both Conquest Hospital and Eastbourne District General Hospital will be contributing data to it. The module uses an algorithm to identify patients with cardiogenic shock from the routinely collected data on ICU admissions that ICNARC already collect. We use both the diagnosis and measures of how sick patients are, including changes in their lactate and inotrope requirements over the first few days. We also collect data on specific management, such as the use of cardiac output monitors, and escalation to mechanical circulatory support.
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease