Cardiovascular Critical Care

Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute’s critical care team includes fellowship-trained intensivists, cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists, nurses, consult specialists, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, dieticians, perfusionists, physical and speech therapy specialists, and clergy.

Saint Luke's critical care services provide:

• Highly trained critical care physicians
• Current evidence-based care
• Advanced cardiopulmonary support in the form of ventricular assist devices and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)

Learn more about Saint Luke's ECMO Program.

Saint Luke's Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) specializes in caring for patients who’ve been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, heart failure, or unstable rhythm disturbances.

Our team is certified to care for patients facing acute conditions while nurturing their physical and emotional needs. Our critical care certified nurses provide the full spectrum of care, from admission to discharge.

Patients in the Cardiac ICU have such conditions as:

• Hypothermia in post-arrest
• Acute MI
• Cardiac rhythm disturbances
• End-stage heart failure

Patients may also be in the Cardiac ICU for:

• Pre-heart transplant care
• Intra-aortic balloon pump
• Hemodynamic monitoring
• Post-care after complicated procedures

Visiting hours and guidelines

• Two visitors at a time.
• No visitors during shift change: 6:45 – 7:30 a.m.; 6:45 – 7:30 p.m.

Nursing staff may ask visitors to step out of the room temporarily to allow for private patient care.

The Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) is designed for the care of postoperative cardiac and thoracic surgery patients. The CVICU provides patients with the most sophisticated care from a team of dedicated experts who are directed 24/7 by a trained physician credentialed in critical care medicine.

Surgical Intermediate Cardiac Care Unit

After patients have recovered from surgery in the CVICU, they’re transferred to the Surgical Intermediate Cardiac Care Unit. They receive 24/7 care from advanced nurse practitioners.

Liaison nurses

These nurses meet with patients’ families the day of surgery and keep them updated through every step of the operation and recovery process. They also address the family’s needs and provide detailed instructions for ongoing care prior to a patient’s discharge.

Pre-op Clinic

A hospital setting for patients to get their questions answered prior to undergoing cardiac surgery. Cardiac nurses conduct a comprehensive evaluation and provide in-depth information about the specific procedure. Tours of this space are available.

Visiting hours and guidelines

• The CVICU allows 24-hour visiting.
• All visitors must be able to care for themselves.

• Visitors under 12 are allowed only in the waiting area with adult supervision. 

   

  • Special circumstances will be considered by nursing staff.

• Shift changes occur between 7 and 8 in the morning and evening.

   

  • To protect patient privacy, only one designated support person is allowed in the room during this time.
• Please limit visitors to two at a time between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
• Visiting is limited to one person at the bedside from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

For patient safety, ICU equipment must be accessible at all times, therefore overnight visitors should not expect to sleep in the patient’s room. Rare exceptions may be considered by ICU staff each shift. Nurses may ask visitors to step outside during patient care treatments.

Call 816-932-3672