[Percutaneous coronary intervention in the management of acute coronary syndromes in Senegal : Challenges and results]. / Angioplastie coronaire dans la prise en charge des syndromes coronariens Aigus au Sénégal : défis et résultats.

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remains a major therapeutic tool in the management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). However, it is not widely practiced in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly for the management of ACS. The availability of a catheterization laboratory for 24-hour management of ACS in Dakar is an important step in improving the prognosis of patients. The objective of our study was to evaluate the clinical and prognostic profile of patients presenting an ACS and treated by PCI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study that included all patients who underwent PCI for ACS at hospital principal Dakar during the period from January 2019 to December 2020. RESULTS: Our study included 112 patients with a mean age of 60 years (extremes 31-96 years) and a male predominance (sex ratio 4.09). Cardiovascular risk factors were dominated by hypertension (47.3%) and smoking (39.3%). Chest pain was present in 97% of patients. Left ventricular systolic function was impaired in 56 patients with a mean of 50% and extremes of 20 and 78%. Thrombolysis with streptokinase was used in 13 patients with STEMI. The majority of coronary angiogram (95%) were performed between 8 am and 5 pm. The radial route was the most commonly used (85.7%). Double vessel coronary artery disease was predominant (39,3%) and the left anterior descending artery was the most affected (60.7%). The PCI was performed in all patients and in more than half of the cases (55%) within 12 hours of delay. The PCI success rate was 96.4%. Sixty-seven patients (59.8%) underwent balloon predilation. PCI was performed with a drug-eluting stent in the majority of patients (92.8%). The outcome was favorable in 96.4% of the patients, but there were 3 deaths (2.7%). CONCLUSION: Treatment of ACS by PCI is a reality in Senegal with a considerable success rate. However, intervention delays remain one of the major challenges of this management.

[Place du ballon de contre pulsion intra aortique dans l'infarctus aigu du myocarde compliqué par état de choc cardiogénique]. / Intra-aortic balloon pump in acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock, efficiency, safety and mortality risk factors.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Cardiogenic shock remains one of the leading causes of death in patients with myocardial infarction. The Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) has been widely used as a treatment for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), despite recommendations against its routine use. In this paper, our aim is to analyze and share our own experience with IABP in the setting of AMI. We retrospectively reviewed the files of patients admitted with AMI and cardiogenic shock and for whom IABP was inserted between June 2016 and December 2022. RESULTS: 300 patients with AMI and cardiogenic shock were admitted and benefited from IABP insertion and primary coronary revascularization. The overall mortality rate was 62.3%, the site related complication rate was 0.6%, and the overall complications rate (including site related and major bleeding) was 10.6%. There was a significantly higher mortality in the group of patients where the Left Anterior Descending artery (LAD) was the culprit lesion, in the group of patients who required dialysis, the group who had creatinine levels greater than 200 um/L compared to the group who had creatinine lower than 200 um/L, and in patients older than 70 years. Interestingly, no difference in mortality was observed between men and women, single versus multiple vessel disease, and between STEMI and non-STEMI patients. CONCLUSION: Mortality of AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock and treated by IABP remains high. However, IABP usage is associated with a low complication rate. Better selection criteria for IABP usage versus other more powerful mechanical circulatory support devices in such patients might improve the outcome for the patient.

[Benefits and drawbacks of CT scan as a triple rule-out exam in acute chest pain to exclude acute coronary syndrome, pulmonary embolism and aortic dissection]. / Le scanner thoracique injecté « triple-rule-out ¼ a-t-il un intérêt dans le bilan des douleurs thoraciques aiguës pour éliminer le syndrome coronaire aigu, l'embolie pulmonaire et la dissection aortique ?

Chest pain is one of the major causes for admission in the Emergency Room in most countries and one of the principal reasons for urgent consultation with a cardiologist or a general practitioner. After clinical examination and initial biological measurements, substantial patients require further explorations. CT scan allows the search for pulmonary embolism in the early stage of pulmonary arteries iodine contrast exploration. During the same exam at the systemic arterial phase, the search for aortic dissection or coronary artery disease is possible while exploring the later contrast in the aortic artery. This triple rule-out exam allows correct diagnosis in case of acute chest pain with suspected pulmonary embolism, aortic dissection and other acute aortic syndromes or acute coronary syndrome. But X-rays are substantially increased as well as iodine contrast agent quantity while exam quality is globally decreased. Artificial intelligence may play an important role in the development of this protocol.

Impact of the Lubrizol factory fire in Rouen on coronary events: A retrospective study from the France PCI registry.

BACKGROUND: On 26 September 2019, an industrial fire occurred in the Lubrizol factory in Rouen (France), exposing the population to the inhalation of many volatile toxic agents secondary to combustion. AIM: To assess the impact of the Lubrizol factory fire on the incidence of coronary artery events. METHODS: All coronary angiograms performed in Rouen (exposed) and Le Havre (unexposed) from May 2019 to December 2019 were extracted from the prospective France Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (France PCI) registry. To study the impact of the fire on coronary events, an interrupted time series analysis was performed in Rouen, with adjustment on Le Havre in an autoregressive moving average (ARMA)(1,1) model with the precision of 1 week. The primary outcome was the incidence of acute coronary syndrome, and the secondary outcome was the incidence of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. RESULTS: The mean number of acute coronary syndromes per week in the exposed zone (Rouen) increased non-significantly from 37.5±9.4 before the fire to 43.2±6.2 after the fire, for an estimated effect of +5.5 (95% confidence interval -0.7 to 11.8; P=0.09) events per week. In municipalities exposed to the plume of smoke (subgroup of Rouen), the mean number of acute coronary syndromes increased non-significantly from 7.3±2.8 before the fire to 8.7±3.6 after the fire, for an estimated effect of +1.0 (95% confidence interval -2.0 to 4.0; P=0.51) events per week. The results were similar when taking into account only ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions or all coronary events. CONCLUSIONS: Our study did not find a significant effect of the Lubrizol factory fire on the incidence of acute coronary syndrome. Further studies are needed to investigate the impact of industrial accidents on air pollution and coronary events.

Multivessel spontaneous coronary artery dissection with simultaneously three different angiographic patterns.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a non-traumatic non-iatrogenic coronary dissection. It's a frequent cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in women without or with few traditional cardiovascular risk factors. We report an unusual case of multivessel SCAD in a middle-aged woman with successful medical management.

[Managing STEMI before the hospital : let's identify our enemies!] / Prise en charge de l'infarctus avant l'hôpital : identifions nos ennemis !

Managing a patient with chest pain suspected to be a ST segment elevation myocardial infarction is a race against time. This management is based on a chain, like what is presented for cardiac arrest. Three phases follow one another, with potential loss of time successively attributable to the patient, the emergency physician and then the cardiologist. It would be tempting to consider that the main culprit in the event of delayed treatment is the patient. This review is the opportunity to show that it is not the case. The emergency physician, the cardiologist and their interconnection are the main providers of delay and, as such, the main enemies of myocardial reperfusion.

Survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest treated with percutaneous coronary intervention: Thrombotic and bleeding events among different oral P2Y12 inhibitor regimens.

BACKGROUND: Survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention are at high thrombotic and bleeding risk. The type of antiplatelet that should be used in these patients remains controversial. AIM: To compare the impact of the use of more potent P2Y12 receptor inhibitors on thrombotic and bleeding events with that of clopidogrel in survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. METHODS: This was an observational study including consecutive patients treated for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest associated with acute coronary syndrome by percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation and dual antiplatelet therapy between January 2007 and December 2017. Baseline characteristics, mortality and in-hospital haemorrhagic and thrombotic events were compared between patients who received clopidogrel and those who received more potent P2Y12 receptor inhibitors. RESULTS: Among the 359 included patients, 197 received clopidogrel and 162 received ticagrelor or prasugrel. The primary composite endpoint of death, definite stent thrombosis or major bleeding was similar in the two groups (57.4% in the clopidogrel group vs. 53.7% in the new P2Y12 receptor inhibitors group; P=0.49). Fewer haemorrhagic events occurred in the clopidogrel group (21.8% vs. 31.5%; P=0.04), whereas similar rates of definite stent thrombosis were observed (5.1% vs. 6.2%; P=0.65). The use of more potent P2Y12 receptor inhibitors was an independent predictor of major bleeding (odds ratio 2.69, 95% confidence interval 1.37-5.25; P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: In this specific population, the use of more potent P2Y12 receptor inhibitors was not associated with a reduced thrombosis rate compared with clopidogrel, but with a higher haemorrhagic risk. Prospective studies should be performed on the optimal antithrombotic therapy in this subset of patients.

Balancing thrombosis and bleeding after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest related to acute coronary syndrome: A literature review.

Balance between thrombosis and bleeding is now well recognized in patients treated for acute coronary syndrome, with impact on short- and long-term prognosis, including survival. Recent data suggest that patients who are resuscitated after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest related to myocardial infarction are at an even higher risk of bleeding and thrombosis than those with uncomplicated acute coronary syndrome. Delayed enteral absorption of medication due to induced hypothermia and systemic inflammation increases thrombosis risk, whereas transfemoral access site, cardiopulmonary resuscitation manoeuvres and mechanical circulatory support devices increase bleeding risk. In addition, post-resuscitation syndrome and renal or hepatic impairment are potential risk factors for both bleeding and thrombotic complications. There are currently no randomized controlled trials comparing various P2Y12 inhibitor and/or anticoagulation strategies in the setting of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, and current practice is largely derived from management of patients with uncomplicated acute coronary syndrome. The aim of this review is therefore to describe the bleeding and thrombosis risk factors in this specific population, and to review recent data on antithrombotic drugs in this patient subset.

[Echocardiographic risk score after acute coronary syndrome]. / Score du risque échocardiographique après un syndrome coronaire aigu.

AIMS: Identify the predective echocardiographic parameters of major cardiovascular events (death, ischemic recurrence, heart failure and rehospitalization) in-hospital and after six months of follow-up and to establish an echocardiographic prognostic score and to evaluate its prognostic value alone or in association with clinical risk scores. METHODS: We recruited 302 patients in intensive care unit of cardiology for ACS consecutively on admission, patients were assessed by clinical risk scores (GRACE, TIMI, CRUSADE) and resting doppler echocardiography, a follow-up of six months. RESULTS: The echocardiographic risk score has four variables: LV-EF (RR=0.931; 95%CI=0.885-0.979, P<0.01), RV-AF (RR=0.951; 95%CI=0.903-0.999, P<0.05), iMAE-M-strain (RR=1.226; 95%CI=1.081-1.390, P<0.01) and ULCs (RR=1.151; 95%CI=1.081-1.224, P<0.01). Its discrimination capacity (AUC=0.85), greater than that of the clinical risk scores, (GRACE: AUC=0.72, TIMI: AUC=0.71 and CRUSADE: AUC=0.76). DISCUSSION: The risk stratification can be achieved using echocardiographic score easy to acquire and interpret in the clinical setting, with a stratification power higher than the clinical risk scores. The iconoclinical model makes it possible to select a group of heterogeneous patients by their clinical presentations and iconographic data at high risk but with an echoscore or clinical score weak or intermediate. CONCLUSION: The developed echocardiographic model could prove very useful in the decision-making process and optimization of the therapeutic strategy in some high-risk patients with acute coronary syndromes following an invasive strategy. It is appropriate for expert interpretation, yet relatively simple because it contains only four simple echocardiographic variables as predictors.

Antithrombotic strategies in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Elderly patients represent a growing proportion of the acute coronary syndrome population in Western countries. However, their frequent atypical symptoms at presentation often lead to delays in management and to misdiagnosis. Furthermore, their prognosis is poorer than that of younger patients because of physiological changes in platelet function, haemostasis and fibrinolysis, but also a higher proportion of comorbidities and frailty, both of which increase the risk of recurrent thrombotic and bleeding events. This complex situation, with ischaemic and haemorrhagic risk factors often being intertwined, may lead to confusion about the required treatment strategy, sometimes resulting in inadequate management or even to therapeutic nihilism. It is therefore critical to provide a comprehensive overview of our understanding of the pathophysiological processes underlying acute coronary syndrome in elderly patients, and to summarise the results from the latest clinical trials to help decision making for these high-risk patients.

Therapeutic management and outcome of nonagenarians versus octogenarians admitted to an intensive care unit for acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: The number of very old patients admitted to intensive care units for acute coronary syndromes has increased gradually, but these patients are under-represented in randomized clinical trials. AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse mortality of nonagenarians compared with octogenarians admitted to an intensive care unit for acute coronary syndromes, to describe their management and to identify prognostic factors. METHODS: Patients aged≥80years admitted to an intensive care unit (Croix-Rousse University Hospital, Lyon) with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2016 were included retrospectively. After exclusion of type 2 acute coronary syndromes, the data for 311 octogenarians and 92 nonagenarians were analysed using Kaplan-Meier curves and a multivariable Cox regression model. RESULTS: More than 70% of patients received renin-angiotensin-system blockers, beta-blockers and statins, without significant difference between nonagenarians and octogenarians. Nonagenarians were treated significantly less frequently with ticagrelor than octogenarians (P=0.028). Overall, 97.8% of patients had a coronary angiogram, and 80.4% underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. At 5-year follow-up, the survival rate was 62.8% for nonagenarians compared with 73.1% for octogenarians (P=0.007), but no significant difference was observed for cardiovascular mortality (P=0.17). Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score and increased age were significantly associated with higher mortality rate, while renin-angiotensin-system blockers, statins and ticagrelor were protective factors. CONCLUSIONS: Although overall mortality was higher in patients aged≥90 years compared with those aged<90years with acute coronary syndromes, the overall survival reported here is acceptable. In addition to the effect of age, the difference in prognosis according to age may be explained, in part, by a non-optimal treatment strategy for older patients.

Early and late case fatality after hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome in France, 2010-2015.

BACKGROUND: Case-fatality data for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are scarce in unselected French patients. AIMS: To analyse early and late case-fatality rates in patients with ACS in France, case fatality determinants and time trends between 2010 and 2015. METHODS: For each year from 2010 to 2015, all patients hospitalized for ACS in France and aged>18 years were selected. Multivariable Cox models were used to assess determinants of case fatality at 3 days, 4-30 days and 31-365 days after hospital admission. RESULTS: In 2015, cumulative 3-day, 30-day and 1-year case-fatality rates were, respectively, 2.0%, 5.1% and 11.1% for all patients with ACS, and 3.9%, 8.5% and 13.8% for those with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Admission through the emergency department was associated with a higher risk of death, particularly at 3 days. Female sex was associated with higher case-fatality rates at 3 days, but with lower case-fatality rates at 31-365 days. Social deprivation was associated with higher case-fatality rates for all periods for all patients with ACS. A significant decrease was found between 2010 and 2015 in case-fatality rates at 31-365 days, particularly for patients with STEMI; this time trend was no longer significant after additional adjustment for hospital management. CONCLUSIONS: Case fatality up to 1 year after hospitalization for ACS was non-negligible, highlighting the need to ensure better follow-up after the acute stage, particularly in the most deprived patients. As hospital admission through the emergency department still occurs frequently, health policy should promote a national campaign to increase the awareness and preparedness of the general population regarding ACS. Finally, our results suggest that women need specific attention early after the index event.

[Evolution profiles of acute coronary syndromes and GRACE, TIMI and SRI risk scores in Burkina Faso. A monocentric study of 111 patients]. / Profils évolutifs des syndromes coronaires aigus et scores de risque GRACE, TIMI et SRI au Burkina Faso. À propos d'une série monocentrique de 111 patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study was to assess evolution profile of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) based on risk level by GRACE, TIMI and SRI scores in the cardiology department, Yalgado Ouedraogo university hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study of 111 consecutive patients admitted for ACS (mean age 57.61 years, 77.5% male) between January 1st and 2010 to May 31st 2015 in the department of cardiology. For each patient, risk scores were calculated and they were divided into risk group. Global survival at one month was described by Kaplan Meier method and prognostic factors were analyzed by multivariable Cox regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of ACS was 4.2%. Patients were admitted for ST-elevation ACS and non-ST-elevation ACS in 88.3% and 11.7%, respectively. Nineteen patients (17.1%) were admitted before the 12th hour. Hospital mortality was 8.1% and increased to 16.2% in one month. After risk stratification, one-month survival of patients with high risk, was shorter than patients at low-risk regardless of the score GRACE (log-rank=9.93, P=0.007), TIMI (log-rank=14.91, P=0.001) and SRI (log-rank=10.01, P=0.006). GRACE score (HR=1.01; P=0.002), TIMI (HR=1.33; P=0.01) and SRI (HR=1.02; P=0.01) were major prognostic factors for overall survival. CONCLUSION: ACS remains a serious disease with high morbidity and mortality in the days following the initial accident. These risk scores are applicable tools in Burkina Faso as evidenced statistic C (GRACE=0.75, TIMI=0.78 and SRI=0.74).

Percutaneous coronary interventions with the Absorb Bioresorbable vascular scaffold in real life: 1-year results from the FRANCE ABSORB registry.

BACKGROUND: Several randomized studies have shown that bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) technology is associated with an increased risk of stent thrombosis. AIM: This study aimed to assess the rates of adverse outcomes at 1 year in patients treated with the Absorb BVS (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA, USA), using data from a large nationwide prospective multicentre registry (FRANCE ABSORB). METHODS: All patients receiving the Absorb BVS in France were included prospectively in the study. Predilatation, optimal sizing and postdilatation were recommended systematically. The primary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction and target lesion revascularization at 1 year. Secondary endpoints were scaffold thrombosis and target vessel revascularization at 1 year. RESULTS: A total of 2072 patients at 86 centres were included: mean age 55±11 years; 80% men. The indication was acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in 49% of cases. Predilatation and postdilatation were done in 93% and 83% of lesions, respectively. At 1 year, the primary endpoint occurred in 3.9% of patients, the rate of scaffold thrombosis was 1.5% and the rate of target vessel revascularization was 3.3%. In a multivariable analysis, diabetes and total Absorb BVS length>30mm were independently associated with the occurrence of the primary endpoint, whereas oral anticoagulation and total Absorb BVS length>30mm were independently associated with occurrence of scaffold thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: The Absorb BVS was implanted in a relatively young population, half of whom had ACS. Predilatation and postdilatation rates were high, and 1-year outcomes were acceptable.

[Fenestration of a spontaneous coronary hematoma with life-threatening dissection: A case of recurrent and multivessel spontaneous coronary artery dissections in a young female]. / Fenestration d'un hématome coronaire spontané avec dissection menaçante : à propos d'un cas de dissections coronaires spontanées récidivantes sur plusieurs vaisseaux chez une jeune femme.

The fenestration of a coronary artery hematoma is a therapeutic option in case of a life-threatening spontaneous coronary artery dissection, if the conservative treatment is not feasible. Here we present the case of a 34-year-old woman who presented three spontaneous coronary artery dissections, on three different arteries, over a period of twenty-one months. The diagnosis was confirmed by endovascular imaging. During an acute coronary syndrome, emergent percutaneous coronary intervention of the left anterior descending artery was performed, successfully, by a fenestration of the hematoma, using an AngioSculpt® scoring balloon.

[Demographic evolution, clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of older adults treated by primary angioplasty for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction]. / Évolution démographique, caractéristiques et suivi clinique intrahospitalier des sujets âgés traités par angioplastie primaire pour syndrome coronarien aigu avec sus-décalage du segment ST.

BACKGROUND: The number of older adults treated for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is increasing. Nevertheless, their treatment might not be as optimal as younger adults. This study sought to evaluate demographic evolution, clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of patients of patients aged 75years-old or older treated by primary angioplasty for STEMI. METHODS: Retrospective study of all consecutive patients for STEMI between January 2012 and December 2017. Their clinical, biologic, echocardiographic and angiographic data, as well as in-hospital outcomes were collected and compared between two groups: younger and older than 75 year-olds. RESULTS: Five hundred and sixty-eight patients including 99 (17.4%) 75 year-old or older were included in the present study. Patients aged 75 or older had an increased delay of treatment between the time of the chest pain onset and revascularization (7.30±1,16 vs 4.77±0,36hours, P=0.0391), they were more frequently treated with clopidogrel rather than more potent anti P2Y12 antiplatelet therapies (55.6% vs 24.8%, P<0.0001) and received less frequently anti-GP2B3A therapy (44.8% vs 23.2%, P<0.0001). There was a trend for increased in-hospital mortality in the older group, despite non statistically significant (4.04% vs 1.5%, P=0.0847). Older adults had a worse clinical status with decreased post-STEMI left ventricular ejection fraction (44.42±1,38 vs 49.07±0,49, P=0,0019). They were also less treated with drug-eluting stents (51.5% vs 73.9%, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Adults aged 75 years-old or older represent a subsequent proportion of patients admitted for STEMI. They had a worse initial clinical presentation associated with worse prognostic, as compared to younger adults. They experience delayed reperfusion therapy and suboptimal treatment as compared to younger adults.

[The 'Dangerous' ECG]. / Das «gefährliche¼ EKG.

The 'Dangerous' ECG Abstract. This review aims to draw the attention of physicians confronted with cardiac emergencies to some specific ECG pathomorphologies in acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism, as well as to malignant arrhythmias in hyperkalemia, drug-induced QTc prolongation, WPW, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. If they are not detected the resultant failure to treat or incorrect treatment can have serious consequences for the patient and the doctor (liability consequences).

[ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the elderly]. / Syndrome coronaire aigu avec sus-décalage du segment ST (SCA ST+) chez le sujet âgé.

Admission in cardiology departments of patients over 80 years old, even nonagenarians, for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is not uncommon in 2018. The management of these high risk and polypathological patients, with atypical clinical presentation, is not based on international guidelines or randomized studies, but rather on retrospective studies, expert consensus, and common sense. Each decision has to be individualized to the patient's situation. This review, after a clinical case, aims to guide the clinician in the specific management of these patients, from the symptoms, to reperfusion strategy, and, as fast as possible, hospital discharge.

[Unusual cause of acute coronary syndrome: Horton's disease]. / Un syndrome coronaire aigu particulier : maladie de Horton.

The pathophysiology of acute coronary syndromes is in most cases due to the erosion or rupture of a plaque with consequent thrombotic obstruction of coronary artery. In a few cases, the mechanism is different, this not modifying the initial management but imposing special techniques for diagnosis and therapeutic management. We report a clinical case of a patient supported for an acute coronary syndrome, in a context of impaired general condition and biological inflammatory syndrome revealing a Horton's disease.

Mechanical circulatory support in patients with cardiogenic shock in intensive care units: A position paper of the "Unité de Soins Intensifs de Cardiologie" group of the French Society of Cardiology, endorsed by the "Groupe Athérome et Cardiologie Interventionnelle" of the French Society of Cardiology.

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a major challenge in contemporary cardiology. Despite a better understanding of the pathophysiology of CS, its management has only improved slightly. The prevalence of CS has remained stable over the past decade, but its outcome has seen few improvements, with the 1-month mortality rate still in the range of 40-60%. Inotropes and vasopressors are the first-line therapies for CS, but they are associated with significant hazards, and have well-known deleterious effects. Furthermore, a significant number of patients develop refractory CS with haemodynamic instability, causing critical organ hypoperfusion and/or pulmonary congestion, despite increasing doses of catecholamines. A major change has resulted from the recent advent and availability of potent mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices. These devices, which ensure sustained blood flow, provide a great and long-awaited opportunity to improve the prognosis of CS. Several efficient MCS devices are now available, including left ventricle-to-aorta circulatory support devices and full pulmonary and circulatory support with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. However, evidence to support their indications, the timing of implantation and the selection of patients and devices is scarce. Because these devices are gaining momentum and are becoming readily available, the "Unité de Soins Intensifs de Cardiologie" group of the French Society of Cardiology aims to propose practical algorithms for the use of these devices, to help intensive care unit and cardiac care unit physicians in this complex area, where evidence is limited.