Any person, 16 years and over, presenting with shortness of breath and who has a history of cardiac disease.
This protocol is intended to be used by registered and enrolled nurses within their scope of practice and as outlined in The Use of Emergency Care Assessment and Treatment Protocols (PD2024_011). Sections marked triangle or diamond indicate the need for additional prerequisite education prior to use. Check the medication table for dose adjustments and links to relevant reference texts.
If the patient has:
- signs of anaphylaxis, switch to anaphylaxis or allergic reactions protocol
- no known history, switch to shortness of breath protocol
- asthma, switch to shortness of breath with a history of asthma protocol
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, switch to shortness of breath with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease protocol.
History prompts, signs and symptoms
These are not exhaustive lists. Maintain an open mind and be aware of cognitive bias.
History prompts
- Presenting complaint
- Onset of symptoms
- Triggers, including breathlessness on exertion
- Recent illness
- Pain assessment – PQRST
- Pre-hospital treatment
- Past admissions
- Medical and surgical history, including history of cardiac, respiratory, endocrine and renal disease, ICU or intubations
- Current medications, including beta blockers or calcium blockers
- Known allergies
- Recent contact with sick persons
- Smoking history
- Cardiac risk factors
Signs and symptoms
- Cough
- Respiratory distress
- Audible respiratory crepitation
- Orthopnoea
- Hypoxia
- Pallor
- Diaphoretic
- Cool peripheries
- Chest pain
- Palpitations
- Fatigue or weakness
Red flags
Recognise: identify indicators of actual or potential clinical severity and risk of deterioration.
Respond: carefully consider alternative ECAT protocol. Escalate as per clinical reasoning and local CERS protocol, and continue treatment.
Historical
- Currently taking medicines for erectile dysfunction, pulmonary arterial hypertension or thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension
- Malignancy
- Previous intubation or ICU admission
Clinical
- Altered level of consciousness
- Confusion, agitation or irritability
- Tripod positioning
- Talking in words or phrases only
- Respiratory distress with exhaustion
- Central cyanosis
- Acute pulmonary oedema (respiratory crepitations, raised jugular venous pressure (JVP) or peripheral oedema)
- Blood-stained or pink frothy sputum
- Tachycardia
- Arrhythmia
- Chest pain
- Cold extremities
Remember adult at risk: patient or carer concern, frailty, multiple comorbidities or unplanned return.
Clinical assessment and specified intervention (A to G)
If the patient has any Yellow or Red Zone observations or additional criteria (as per the relevant NSW Standard Emergency Observation Chart), refer and escalate as per local CERS protocol and continue treatment.
Position
Assessment | Intervention |
---|---|
General appearance/first impressions | Position of comfort Preferably semi-reclined or upright |
Airway
Assessment | Intervention |
---|---|
Patency of airway | Maintain airway patency Consider airway opening manoeuvres and positioning |
Breathing
Assessment | Intervention |
---|---|
Respiratory rate and effort Auscultate chest (breath sounds) Oxygen saturation (SpO2) | Assist ventilation as clinically indicated Measure SpO2 if signs of hypoxia or respiratory distress Consider oxygen if dyspnoeic, titrate oxygen to maintain SpO2 over 93% |
Circulation
Assessment | Intervention |
---|---|
Perfusion (capillary refill, skin warmth and colour) Pulse Blood pressure Cardiac rhythm | Assess circulation Attach cardiac monitor and complete 12 lead ECG |
Signs of shock: tachycardia and CRT 3 seconds and over and/or abnormal skin perfusion and/or hypotension | If SBP less than 90 mmHg or signs of shock present, escalate as per local CERS protocol immediately |
IVC and/or pathology | Insert IV cannula, if trained If unable to obtain IV access, consider intraosseous, if trained |
Raised JVP and/or peripheral oedema | If audible respiratory crepitations and raised JVP and/or peripheral oedema AND if SBP over 100 mmHg: Give glyceryl trinitrate:
and give furosemide (Frusemide) 40 mg IV once only
Escalate as per local CERS protocol for consideration of further glyceryl trinitrate if patient remains hypertensive |
If chest pain is present, switch to chest pain protocol.
Disability
Assessment | Intervention |
---|---|
ACVPU | If ACVPU shows reduced level of consciousness, continue to GCS, pupillary response and limb strength |
GCS, pupillary response and limb strength | Obtain baseline and repeat assessment as clinically indicated |
Pain | Assess pain. If indicated, give early analgesia as per analgesia section then resume A to G assessment |
Exposure
Assessment | Intervention |
---|---|
Temperature | Measure temperature |
Skin inspection, including posterior surfaces | Check and document any abnormalities |
Fluids
Assessment | Intervention |
---|---|
Hydration status: last ate, drank, bowels opened, passed urine or vomited | Commence fluid balance chart, as required Consider fluid restriction |
NBM | Consider clear fluids or NBM based on red flags and clinical severity |
Nausea and/or vomiting | If present, see nausea and/or vomiting section |
Glucose
Assessment | Intervention |
---|---|
BGL | Measure BGL, if clinically indicated If less than 4 mmol/L, consider hypoglycaemia protocol |
Repeat and document assessment and observations to monitor responses to interventions, identify developing trends and clinical deterioration. Escalate care as required according to the local CERS protocol.
Focused assessment
Complete a respiratory focused assessment.
Consider cardiovascular focused assessment.
Precautions and notes
- Investigating and managing precipitating factors is recommended for all patients with acute heart failure. Common causes include:
- AMI
- pulmonary embolism
- arrhythmia
- infection
- anaemia
- thyroid disorder
- acute renal failure
- Patients should be assessed for concurrent use of other glyceryl trinitrate preparations via routes other than oral, i.e. rectogesic.
Interventions and diagnostics
Specific treatment
If ineffective respiratory effort, consider non-invasive ventilation (NIV) where available and escalate as per local CERS protocol if required.
Analgesia
If pain score 1–6 (mild–moderate), give:
- paracetamol 1000 mg orally once only
- and/or ibuprofen 400 mg orally once only.
If severe pain present, give analgesia and escalate as per local CERS protocol.
Nausea and/or vomiting
If nausea and/or vomiting is present, give:
- metoclopramide 10 mg orally or IV/IM once only (over 20 years only)
- or ondansetron 4 mg orally or IV/IM. If symptoms persist after 60 minutes, repeat once, maximum dose 8 mg
- or prochlorperazine 5 mg orally once only or 12.5 mg IV/IM once only
Choice of antiemetic should be determined by cause of symptoms.
Radiology
- CXR
Pathology
- FBC, UEC, LFT, troponin
- Warfarinised: INR
- Temp less than 35°C, or 38.5°C and over: take two sets of blood cultures from two separate sites
Medications
The shaded sections in this protocol are only to be used by registered nurses who have completed the required education.
Drag the table right to view more columns or turn your phone to landscape
Drug | Dose | Route | Frequency |
---|---|---|---|
40 mg | IV | If audible respiratory crepitations present Once only | |
Do not give if known severe anaemia (high risk of methaemoglobinaemia) Do not give if any of the following taken (profound hypotensive effect):
| |||
300 microg Maximum dose 600 microg | Sublingual tablet | Repeat once after 5 minutes if SBP over 100 mmHg to maximum dose | |
OR | |||
400 microg Maximum dose 800 microg | Sublingual spray | ||
Ibuprofen H, R | 400 mg | Oral | Pain score 1–10
Once only |
Over 20 years: | Oral/IV/IM | Once only | |
4 mg Maximum dose 8 mg | Oral/IV/IM | Repeat once if required after 60 minutes | |
Oxygen | 2–15 L/min, device dependent | Inhalation | Continuous |
1000 mg | Oral | Pain score 1–10 Once only | |
5 mg | Oral | Once only | |
OR | |||
12.5 mg | IV/IM | Once only |
Medications with contraindications or requiring dose adjustment are marked:
- H for patients with known hepatic impairment
- R for patients with known renal impairment.
Escalate to medical or nurse practitioner.
References
- Beasley R, Chien J, Douglas J, et al. Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand oxygen guidelines for acute oxygen use in adults: 'Swimming between the flags'. Respirology. 2015 Nov;20(8):1182-91. DOI: 10.1111/resp.12620
- Bragg M. Non-invasive ventilation device settings: a brief guide. NSW: Emergency Care Institute; 2013 [cited 16 Feb 2023]. Available from: https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/273555/niv-device-settings-endorsed-29-august-2013.pdf
- Martindale JL, Wakai A, Collins SP, et al. Diagnosing Acute Heart Failure in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Acad Emerg Med. 2016 Mar;23(3):223-42. DOI: 10.1111/acem.12878
- MIMS Australia. Clinical Resources. Australia: MIMS Australia Pty Ltd; 2022 [cited 2 Feb 2023]. Available from: https://www.mimsonline.com.au.acs.hcn.com.au/Search/Search.aspx
- National Heart Foundation of Australia and Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Atrial Fibrillation Guideline Working Group. National Heart Foundation of Australia and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand: Australian clinical diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation. Heart Lung Circ. 2018;27(10):1209-66. Available from: https://www.heartlungcirc.org/article/S1443-9506(18)31778-5/fulltext
- National Heart Foundation of Australia and Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Heart Failure Guidelines Working Group. National Heart Foundation of Australia and Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand: Guidelines for the prevention, detection, and management of heart failure in Australia 2018. Heart Lung Circ. 2018;27(10):1123-208. Available from: https://www.heartlungcirc.org/article/S1443-9506(18)31777-3/fulltext
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Acute heart failure: diagnosis and management. UK: NICE; 2014 [updated 17 Nov 2021; cited 16 Feb 2023]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg187/chapter/1-recommendations
- NSW Emergency Care Institute. Atrial Fibrillation AF immediate management. NSW: Agency for Clinical Innovation; 2020 [cited 16 Feb 2023]. Available from: https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/networks/eci/clinical/clinical-tools/cardiology/atrial-fibrillation#afimmediatemanagement
- NSW Health. Australian Medicines Handbook. Australia: Australian Government, NSW; 2022 [cited 13 Apr 2022]. Available from: https://amhonline.amh.net.au.acs.hcn.com.au/
- NSW Ministry of Health. NSW Critical care tertiary referral networks and transfer of care (adults). Sydney: NSW Health; 2018 [cited 16 Feb 2023]. Available from: https://www1.health.nsw.gov.au/pds/Pages/doc.aspx?dn=PD2018_011
- Purvey M, Allen G. Managing acute pulmonary oedema. Aust Prescr. 2017;40(2):59-63. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5408000/
- Therapeutic Guidelines. Antiemetic drugs in adults. Australia: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited; 2022 [cited 15 Feb 2023]. Available from: https://tgldcdp.tg.org.au.acs.hcn.com.au/topicTeaser?guidelinePage=Gastrointestinal&etgAccess=true#
- Therapeutic Guidelines. Treatment of acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema in the emergency department or coronary care unit. Australia: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited; 2022 [cited 20 Feb 2023]. Available from: https://tgldcdp.tg.org.au.acs.hcn.com.au/viewTopic?etgAccess=true&guidelinePage=Cardiovascular&topicfile=heart-failure&guidelinename=Cardiovascular§ionId=toc_d1e860#toc_d1e860
Evidence informed |
Information was drawn from evidence-based guidelines and a review of latest available research. For more information, see the development process. |
Collaboration |
This protocol was developed by the ECAT Working Group, led by the Agency for Clinical Innovation. The group involved expert medical, nursing and allied health representatives from local health districts across NSW. Consensus was reached on all recommendations included within this protocol. |
Currency | Due for review: Jan 2026. Based on a regular review cycle. |
Feedback | Email ACI-ECIs@health.nsw.gov.au |
Accessed from the Emergency Care Institute website at https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/ecat/adult/shortness-of-breath-cardiac-disease