Data on nation-wide activity in intensive cardiac care units in France in 2014

International audienceWe present data in relation to the article entitled "Description of acute cardiac care in 2014: A French nation-wide database on 277,845 admissions in 270 ICCUs".(10.1016/j.ijcard.2017.04.002) (Roubille et al., 2017) [1]: the main characteristics of the pathologies managed in the intensive cardiac care units (ICCUs), the details on the interventions performed and the main differences between centers following the size of the centers and a figure presenting the monthly variations of admissions in the ICCUs in France in a total of 277,845 patients in 270 centers admitted at least one time in the ICCUs in 2014 (exhaustive data)

Severe Myocardial Dysfunction after Non-Ischemic Cardiac Arrest: Effectiveness of Percutaneous Assist Devices

International audienceIntroduction: Despite the improvements in standardized cardiopulmonary resuscitation, survival remains low, mainly due to initial myocardial dysfunction and hemodynamic instability. Our goal was to compare the efficacy of two left ventricular assist devices on resuscitation and hemodynamic supply in a porcine model of ventricular fibrillation (VF) cardiac arrest. Methods: Seventeen anaesthetized pigs had 12 min of untreated VF followed by 6 min of chest compression and boluses of epinephrine. Next, a first defibrillation was attempted and pigs were randomized to any of the three groups: control (n = 5), implantation of an percutaneous left ventricular assist device (Impella, n = 5) or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO, n = 7). Hemodynamic and myocardial functions were evaluated invasively at baseline, at return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), after 10–30–60–120–240 min post-resuscitation. The primary endpoint was the rate of ROSC. Results: Only one of 5 pigs in the control group, 5 of 5 pigs in the Impella group, and 5 of 7 pigs in the ECMO group had ROSC (p < 0.05). Left ventricular ejection fraction at 240 min post-resuscitation was 37.5 ± 6.2% in the ECMO group vs. 23 ± 3% in the Impella group (p = 0.06). No significant difference in hemodynamic parameters was observed between the two ventricular assist devices. Conclusion: Early mechanical circulatory support appeared to improve resuscitation rates in a shockable rhythm model of cardiac arrest. This approach appears promising and should be further evaluated

Admissions to intensive cardiac care units in France in 2014

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Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Analysis of Calcium Content to Identify Non-culprit Vulnerable Plaques in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

International audienceBackground: Aside from the culprit plaque, the presence of vulnerable plaques in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) may be associated with future cardiac events. A link between calcification and plaque rupture has been previously described.Aim: To assess whether analysis of the calcium component of coronary plaques using CT angiography, coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) can help to detect additional vulnerable plaques in patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).Materials and methods: Cross sectional study of consecutive patients referred for NSTEMI from 30 July to 30 August 2018 with CCTA performed before coronary angiography with systematic optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis of all coronary arteries within 24 h of clinical onset of NSTEMI. Three types of plaques were defined: culprit plaques defined by angiography (vulnerable culprit plaques-VCP) - plaques with a fibrous cap thickness < 65 microns or thrombus in OCT (vulnerable non-culprit plaque-VNCP) - plaques with a fibrous cap thickness ≥ 65 microns in OCT (stable plaque-SP).Results: A total of 134 calcified plaques were identified in 29 patients (73% male, 59 ± 14 years) with 29(22%) VCP, 28(21%) VNCP and 77(57%) SP. Using CCTA analysis of the calcium component, factors associated with vulnerable plaques were longer calcification length, larger calcification volume, lower calcium mass, higher Agatston score plaque-specific (ASp), presence of spotty calcifications and an intimal position in the wall. In multivariate analysis, ASp, calcification length and spotty calcifications were independently associated to vulnerable plaques. There was no difference between VCP and VNCP.Conclusions: CCTA analysis of calcium component of the plaque could help to identify additional vulnerable plaques in NSTEMI patients

Acute cardiovascular diseases may be less likely to be considered because of the COVID-19 pandemic – our duty is first to alert, then to analyse more deeply: Response to a letter entitled “Severity of cardiovascular diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic” from T. Imamura

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Un train peut en cacher un autre: les urgences cardiovasculaires pourraient être négligées en raison de la pandémie à COVID-19

International audienceCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is likely to have significant implications for the cardiovascular care of patients. In most countries, containment has already started (on 17 March 2020 in France), and self-quarantine and social distancing are reducing viral contamination and saving lives. However, these considerations may only be the tip of the iceberg; most resources are dedicated to the struggle against COVID-19, and this unprecedented situation may compromise the management of patients admitted with cardiovascular conditions.AIM:We aimed to assess the effect of COVID-19 containment measures on cardiovascular admissions in France.METHODS:We asked nine major cardiology centres to give us an overview of admissions to their nine intensive cardiac care units for acute myocardial infarction or acute heart failure, before and after containment measures.RESULTS:Before containment (02-16 March 2020), the nine participating intensive cardiac care units admitted 4.8±1.6 patients per day, versus 2.6±1.5 after containment (17-22 March 2020) (rank-sum test P=0.0006).CONCLUSIONS:We confirm here, for the first time, a dramatic drop in the number of cardiovascular admissions after the establishment of containment. Many hypotheses might explain this phenomenon, but we feel it is time raise the alarm about the risk for patients presenting with acute cardiovascular disease, who may suffer from lack of attention, leading to severe consequences (an increase in the number of ambulatory myocardial infarctions, mechanical complications of myocardial infarction leading to an increase in the number of cardiac arrests, unexplained deaths, heart failure, etc.). Similar consequences can be feared for all acute situations, beyond the cardiovascular disease setting.ContexteLa maladie du coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) a des implications importantes concernant la prise en charge des problèmes cardiovasculaires. Dans la plupart des pays, le confinement a déjà commencé (en France le 17 mars) et l’isolement, la distanciation sociale, réduisent la contamination virale et sauvent des vies. Ces considérations ne pourraient être cependant que la partie émergée de l’iceberg. Parce que la plupart des ressources sont consacrées à la lutte contre le COVID-19, cette situation sans précédent pourrait compromettre la prise en charge des patients admis pour des problèmes cardiovasculaires.ObjectifNotre objectif était d’évaluer l’impact des mesures de confinement du COVID-19 sur les admissions cardiovasculaires en France.MéthodesNous avons demandé à plusieurs grands centres de cardiologie de nous donner un aperçu de leurs admissions en USIC pour infarctus aigu du myocarde ou insuffisance cardiaque aiguë.RésultatsAvant le confinement (du 02 au 16 mars), les neuf USIC participantes ont admis 4,6 ± 1,6 patients par jour, contre 2,6 ± 1,5 après le confinement (du 17 au 22 mars) (P = 0,0006).ConclusionsNous confirmons ici pour la première fois une baisse spectaculaire du nombre d’admissions après la mise en place du confinement. De nombreuses hypothèses pourraient expliquer ce phénomène, mais nous pensons qu’il est temps d’alerter sur le risque pour les patients présentant une maladie cardiovasculaire aiguë, de souffrir du manque d’attention, entraînant des conséquences graves (augmentation du nombre d’infarctus du myocarde ambulatoires, conduisant à une augmentation du nombre d’arrêts cardiaques, décès inexpliqués, insuffisance cardiaque, etc.). Des conséquences similaires pourraient être craintes pour toutes les situations aiguës en dehors des maladies cardiovasculaires