Cardiac patients at end of life in the emergency department

Abstract

Patients with symptoms related to end-stage cardiac disease, including coronary artery disease and heart failure, commonly present to the emergency department. Emergency healthcare providers’ understanding of disease trajectory aligned with patient and family goals of care facilitates an optimal approach to individualized management. This review highlights existing cardiac-specific prognostic instruments within the context of contemporary emergency and palliative care models, emphasizing the benefits of efficient and pre-organized communication strategies.