Abstract

Objective

The emergency department is the first area where patients are evaluated. Admitted patients are referred to various departments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the patients referred to the cardiovascular surgery (CVD) service from the emergency department of a regional medical faculty hospital.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study was conducted in the emergency department of a regional medical faculty between June 2021 and January 2023. The records of patients referred from the emergency department to the CVD service were analysed. Demographic data, reasons for consultation for CVD, diagnoses, haematological and biochemical parameters, length of stay, and outcomes were evaluated. Patients were classified as having cardiac, arterial, venous, or other cardiovascular pathologies and were evaluated based on interventions performed and consultation results.

Results

The records of 305 patients who were admitted to the emergency department on the specified dates and referred to the CVD clinic for cardiovascular pathology were analysed via the institution’s automation system. It was determined that 75.7% (n = 231) of the consulted patients had CVD, (n = 74) had no CVD–related pathology. The mean age of the patients was 64.7 ± 17.6 years. 59.3% of the patients were male. Of the CVD–related consultations, 55.8% were outpatient. Among the evaluated patients, arterial pathologies (51.5%; n = 119), venous pathologies (19.9%; n = 46), and other pathologies (22.5%; n = 52) were observed. Emergency intervention was applied in 39% (n = 90) of consultations, and medical treatment in 48.9% (n = 113). 27.7% (n = 64) of the applicants were admitted to the hospital by a cardiovascular specialist.

Conclusion

The cooperation of the emergency department physician and CVD consultant physician is necessary for the rapid and effective evaluation of cardiovascular pathologies in the emergency department, and all stakeholders should be focused on patient benefit in this process.