An assessment of intermediate coronary care.

The effect of intermediate coronary care, with and without ECG monitoring, was compared with general medical ward care on the basis of mortality, resuscitation, and detection and treatment of arrhythmias from days 3 to 14 after admission in 2,095 cases of acute coronary heart disease. Mortality was significantly reduced (P less than .02), and number of successful resuscitations for ventricular fibrillation was increased (P less than .05) but only in the unit with monitoring. Number of arrhythmias detected was significantly increased, particularly incidence of ventricular ectopics and heart block (P less than .02). Number of arrhythmias corrected to sinus rhythm was increased, but not significantly. Death from pulmonary embolism fell (P less than .01). Review of causes of death and autopsies showed an increased proportion of deaths due to intractable heart failure and cardiogenic shock. Not only specially trained nurses, but also ECG monitoring, were necessary to obtain the benefits of this treatment.