Simulation training for continuing professional development of nurses in cardiology and cardiovascular surgery.

BACKGROUND:   Nurses play a key role in cardiac arrest management, especially those assigned to cardiac intensive care units, where they are often actively involved in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. AIM: To evaluate the effect of simulation training in in continuing professional development of nurses in this setting. METHODS: A comparative study using paired samples (where the candidate was his own control with repeated measures before and after intervention), was conducted among nurses working in the cardiology and cardiovascular surgery division of our institution. The primary endpoint was the change in skills judged on the basis of competency score of 20 assessed before and after simulation training. RESULTS: 32 nurses participated in the training session. Despite a median job seniority of 8.5 years [4.0 - 12.5], only 44% of nurses had already participated in a simulation session. Although most of the candidates (84%) had previously performed chest compressions, only 34% had delivered an electrical defibrillation during their exercise. We showed a significant increase in overall scores from 8.0 [5.0 - 9.8] to 17.5 [17.0 - 19.0] after the simulation training session (p<0.0001). All the criteria judged in the evaluation grid (basic life support, manual electrical defibrillation) were significantly improved and the most positive effect was observed in the manual defibrillation where the prior experience of the participants was limited. CONCLUSIONS: Simulation learning had a major positive impact on the development of nurses' skills in terms of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

[Revascularization of supra-aortic trunks in Takayasu's arteritis]. / Revascularisation des troncs supra-aortiques au cours de la maladie de Takayasu.

INTRODUCTION: Takayasu's disease is an inflammatory arteritis mainly affecting the aorta, its main divisional branches and pulmonary arteries. The arterial damage during Takayasu's disease is essentially occlusive and preferentially affects supra-aortic trunks. Indications for revascularization of supra-aortic trunks are clear but results are rarely reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of supra-aortic trunk revascularization in Takayasu's arteritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report a retrospective study conducted between 2012 and 2018 about patients with Takayasu's arteritis who underwent revascularization of supra-aortic trunks. RESULTS: Our series consisted of six patients. All patients were female. The average age was 29 (range 18-48) years. The operative indication was cerebrovascular ischemic symptoms in five patients and intermittent claudication of the upper limb in one. We performed aorto-bi-carotid bypass in four patients, a subclavian artery angioplasty in one and a vertebral artery angioplasty in one. At 1 month, operative mortality was zero and morbidity was marked by hemorrhagic stroke in one patient operated by conventional surgery. The average follow-up was 4 years (1.8). During the follow-up, one patient was reoperated after 18 months for an anastomotic false aneurysm in the ascending aorta. We noted a favorable outcome with total resolution of the symptomatology for the other patients and Doppler ultrasound confirmed patency during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Surgical revascularization of supra-aortic trunks in Takayasu's arteritis can be associated with a risk of stroke and a risk of anastomotic pseudoaneurysms. Endovascular revascularization appears to be less invasive but its long-term results are rarely reported.

Hybrid Repair of a Saccular Aortic Arch Aneurysm Ruptured in the Left Pulmonary Bronchus.

The rupture of aortic arch aneurysm is rare but serious and a life-threatening pathologic condition. We report a case of an 80-year-old woman who was admitted to our department for a rupture of a saccular aortic arch aneurysm in the left pulmonary bronchus. There was no landing zone in the aortic arch. First, we performed a total supra-aortic debranching and a bifurcated graft bypass from the ascending aorta to both the innominate artery and the left carotid artery. Then, we implanted in the aortic arch an endoprosthesis covering the origin of all supra-aortic trunks. Final angiography was satisfactory. The patient died 8 days later due to pulmonary-originated septic shock. Aortic arch hybrid procedures show a variety of severe complications associated with a relevant morbidity, mortality, and reintervention rate. Prognosis of rupture depends not only on the hemorrhage caused but also on the potential infection.

Atrial septal defect closure in adults: A ten-year experience.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial septal defects (ASD) constitute the most frequent congenital heart disease in adults and ostium secundum (OS) the most common type. Benefit of its closure in adulthood has long been controversial. AIM: To evaluate outcomes of OS-ASD closure in adults. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study, over a ten-year period from 2008 to 2018. All adults (≥20 years old) who benefited from OS-ASD closure were included. Study endpoints were closure success rate, functional status evolution and incidence of new arrhythmias at 12 months. RESULTS: Fifty patients were recruited. Dyspnea (≥ NYHA II) was noted in 58% and arrhythmia in 18% of patients. Feasibility of a percutaneous closure was 50%. Closure success rate was 100%. Surgery was associated with high postoperative morbidity with longer hospitalization stay (20 vs. 4 days, p <0.001). At 12 months, an improvement in functional status was observed in 79%. Incidence of new arrhythmias was 5%. A significant decrease in right cavities dilation as well as pulmonary arterial pressure has been reported. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate results of OS-ASD closure in adults are satisfactory. Percutaneous closure is associated with reduced hospital morbidity. At 12 months, a significant improvement in functional status was observed however the possible occurrence of new arrhythmias imposes a close follow-up.

Endovascular repair of inflammatory aortic aneuvrysm.

INTRODUCTION: While open repair was the gold standard treatment of atherosclerotic abdominal aortic aneurysms, its place in the treatment of inflammatory aortic aneurysms remains controversial. AIM: To specify the place of endovascular repair in the treatment of inflammatory aneurysms. OBSERVATION: We report 2 cases of inflammatory aortic aneurysms. The first patient was followed for Behçet's disease and the other patient for Giant Cell arteritis 's disease. We noted a biological inflammatory syndrome. CT scan suggested the diagnosis of inflammatory aortic aneurysm. We have implemented a bifurcated stent graft for the patient with a Behcet's disease. For the second patient, we converted to conventional surgery. Corticosteroid therapy was prescribed in two cases with favorable evolution. CONCLUSION: Endovascular repair is a good alternative to surgery for inflammatory aneurysms. Medical therapy occupies a prominent place in its therapeutic management.