Director: Dr. Arthur Pollak

The Intensive Coronary Care Unit (ICCU) at the Hadassah University Hospital is one of the first wards of its kind to be established in Israel. Its medical staff consists of highly trained cardiologists and dedicated nurses specialized in the treatment of urgent heart problems.

The ICCU comprises six beds and is equipped with the most advanced monitoring devices available today. About 1200 patients are admitted annually, suffering from various acute and complex heart conditions, such as heart attack or acute coronary syndrome. For these patients major concerns are the prevention of further heart muscle damage and prompt treatment of life-threatening arrhythmias. Patients in the ICCU are therefore continuously monitored by ECG, and if needed, any adverse problem is attended immediately. The patients are treated by the most advanced therapies available including primary angioplasty, intra aortic balloon counterpulsation, and cardioverter defibrillator implantation. Patients with severe heart failure undergo strict haemodynamic monitoring which allows optimal treatment. After stabilization, patients are either sent home or, after optimizing their medical therapy in the ICCU, are transferred to the internal medicine ward.

Education and rehabilitation of heart attack and acute coronary syndrome patients begins in the ICCU, continues during the hospital stay and after the patient is discharged. Patients receive instructions on preventive medicine, i.e., how to prevent future events by adhering to a healthy diet, exercise and refrain from smoking.