Criteria of the German Cardiac Society for chest pain units Update 2020

Since 2008 the German Cardiac Society (DGK) has established a network of certified chest pain units (CPU). The general goal of a CPU is a rapid and targeted clarification of acute or newly occurring unclear chest pains with respect to the diagnosis or possible differential diagnoses and to immediately initiate treatment measures. Furthermore, another task of a CPU is the clarification of other acute cardiovascular diseases in hemodynamically stable patients. The foundations for the certification process were so far criteria established and published by the CPU task force. They regulate the spatial and technical requirements and determine the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, particularly for patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome but not exclusively restricted to patients with chest pains. Furthermore, the requirements for cooperation partners and the training requirements for the personnel of a CPU are defined. The certification process is organized and carried out by the DGK. At the time of publication 292 CPUs have received certification, 244 have received a first and 116 CPUs a second recertification after a successful audit. These certification criteria have now been revised and updated to comply with the most recent version of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines.