The CPU is primarily used for the rapid and efficient clarification of patients with unclear chest pain. This - very common - symptom can be caused by a variety of illnesses, the severity of which ranges from trivial to life-threatening. Typical and immediately recognisable clinical pictures with accompanying chest pain are heart attack, pulmonary embolism, acute diseases of the aorta (aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection) and cardiac arrhythmia. In addition, a large number of other diseases also cause chest pain, such as lung and heart muscle inflammation and diseases of the chest wall (muscular and skeletal system) and oesophagus.
Against this background, the need for a structured and standardised diagnostic and therapeutic process becomes clear, as this is the only way to identify relevant clinical pictures as quickly as possible and prevent potential harm to patients.
However, cardiac emergencies are not only characterised by chest pain, but can also cause other symptoms such as shortness of breath, palpitations or fainting. For this reason, all patients suspected of having such an event are evaluated in the CPU and treated in accordance with the guidelines.