ISSN: 1885-5857 Impact factor 2024 4.9
Vol. 79. Num. 2.
Pages 165-172 (February 2026)

Special article
Intermediate cardiac care units: rationale, resources, and admission criteria. Position statement of the SEC-ACICAC

Unidades de cuidados intermedios cardiológicos: base racional, dotación e indicaciones de ingreso. Posicionamiento de la SEC-ACICAC

Ana Viana-TejedorabPedro Martínez LosascRut Andrea-RibadMiguel Corbí-PascualeSandra RosillofJoaquín J. AlonsogAlessandro SionísbhPablo PastoriPablo Jorge-PérezjCosme García-Garcíabk
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rec.2025.10.004

Options

Imagen extra
Rev Esp Cardiol. 2026;79:165-72
Abstract

Intermediate cardiac care units (IMCU) provide a level of care between hospital wards and cardiac acute care units. They are designed for patients who require close monitoring or noncritical support, such as those with acute coronary syndromes, acute heart failure (HF), arrhythmias, monitoring after structural interventional cardiology or electrophysiology procedures, or postoperative care following cardiac surgery. IMCU help optimize resources and relieve pressure on cardiac acute care units, thereby improving specialized care. Two levels of IMCU are defined: level 1, which offers noninvasive monitoring and basic life support, and level 2, which incorporates invasive arterial pressure monitoring, noninvasive mechanical ventilation, and equipment for complex procedures. Their structure should be functional, with single-patient rooms, effective communication with other services, and dedicated areas for health care personnel. Care is led by cardiologists with specific training, supported by highly specialized nursing staff, and requires continuous medical coverage (24hours a day, 7 days a week) based on well-defined clinical protocols. This model aims to provide efficient, safe, and excellence-driven care. The Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC) promotes its development through this position statement of the SEC Ischemic Heart Disease and Acute Cardiovascular Care Association (SEC-ACICAC), intended to guide the implementation of IMCU in Spain.

Keywords

Intermediate cardiac care units
Spanish Society of Cardiology
Acute cardiac care

Identify yourself

Not yet a subscriber to the journal?

Purchase access to the article

By purchasing the article, the PDF of the same can be downloaded

Price: 19,34 €

Phone for incidents

Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm (GMT+1) except for the months of July and August, which will be from 9am to 3pm

Calls from Spain 932 415 960
Calls from outside Spain +34 932 415 960
Copyright © 2025. Sociedad Española de Cardiología