Cardiac Critical Care

Supporting Your Recovery After Heart Surgery

If you're having heart surgery, you’ll spend time in the hospital for specialized care around the clock. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) critical care specialists work together to provide you with the highest level of care while you're healing and recovering.

Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit

The cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) is a 15-bed unit caring for those having cardiac surgery. After your surgery, your care team takes you to the CVICU. Here, our highly trained and experienced team will provide constant care and monitoring.

Comprehensive Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Team

The Division of Anesthesia, Critical Care & Pain Medicine covers this unit at all times. The Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit team consists of these and other specialists:

• Anesthesia specialists
• Cardiac surgeons
• Critical care doctors
• Nurse practitioners or physician assistants
• Respiratory therapists

Several hours after your surgery, you will begin to wake up. You may see several people around your bed. This is routine. You may feel confused and anxious when you first wake up. Try to remember that you are never left alone in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU). Your care team is watching you very carefully at all times. Learn more about what to expect after cardiac surgery.

Visiting Hours in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit

Because of your special needs after cardiac surgery, the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) may restrict visiting hours. In general, these rules apply:

• One or two close family members may visit between 12 and 8 pm.
• Visits should last about five minutes.
• CVICU nursing staff may alter visitor guidelines depending on your condition.

Coronary Care Unit

The Coronary Care Unit (CCU) is a different intensive care unit also located on the same floor as the CVICU. You might spend time in the CCU if you have these conditions:

• Myocardial infarction (MI)
• Cardiogenic shock
• Severe valvular disease:
  • Mitral regurgitation (backflow of blood)
  • Aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aorta)
• Arrhythmias

Designated Family Spokesperson

We understand how important it is for your family to have details about your condition. We ask that families designate one person to be the main spokesperson. The staff will be in close contact with the spokesperson. This person can relay information as needed to the rest of your family and friends.

Get details on planning your hospital stay at BIDMC.