Lessons learned from the investigation of a COVID-19 cluster in Creil, France: effectiveness of targeting symptomatic cases and conducting contact tracing around them.

BACKGROUND: This study presents the methods and results of the investigation into a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in a professional community. Due to the limited testing capacity available in France at the time, we elaborated a testing strategy according to pre-test probability. METHODS: The investigation design combined active case finding and contact tracing around each confirmed case with testing of at-risk contact persons who had any evocative symptoms (n = 88). One month later, we performed serology testing to test and screen symptomatic and asymptomatic cases again (n = 79). RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were confirmed (14 with RT-PCR and 10 with serology). The attack rate was 29% (24/83). Median age was 40 (24 to 59), and the sex ratio was 15/12. Only three cases were asymptomatic (= no symptoms at all, 13%, 95% CI, 3-32). Nineteen symptomatic cases (79%, 95% CI, 63-95) presented a respiratory infection, two of which were severe. All the RT-PCR confirmed cases acquired protective antibodies. Median incubation was 4 days (from 1 to 13 days), and the median serial interval was 3 days (0 to 15). We identified pre-symptomatic transmission in 40% of this cluster, but no transmission from asymptomatic to symptomatic cases. CONCLUSION: We report the effective use of targeted testing according to pre-test probability, specifically prioritizing symptomatic COVID-19 diagnosis and contact tracing. The asymptomatic rate raises questions about the real role of asymptomatic infected people in transmission. Conversely, pre-symptomatic contamination occurred frequently in this cluster, highlighting the need to identify, test, and quarantine asymptomatic at-risk contact persons (= contact tracing). The local lockdown imposed helped reduce transmission during the investigation period.

[Emergency treatment of myocardial infarction in women]. / Prise en charge en urgence de l'infarctus du myocarde de la femme.

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) affects mainly men. In women, chest pain is less typical, delaying the diagnosis and increasing the time before treatment is delivered. Morbidity-mortality is greater notably due to a modification of the myocardial reperfusion strategy. The acute care of MI is almost identical for men and women. Knowing more about the epidemiology of women with MI enables prevention strategies to be targeted.

Exposure to fire smoke in fire training structures: A prospective observational study.

The aim of this study was to assess the level of exposure to and contamination by smoke within a population of firefighter instructors. We performed a prospective observational study from September 17 to September 26, 2018, using environmental samples and urinary biomarker analysis. Occupational exposure limits (OELs) were never exceeded, except for carbon monoxide for the fire attack training chamber and formaldehyde and carbon monoxide for the fire box. As regards to urinary biomarkers, we observed that 1OHP and 1-naphtol did accumulate. The pre-post analysis showed an acute exposure exceeding the BRVs of benzene, 1-hydroxypyrene and naphtol, except for 3-benzo[a]pyrene which was undetectable in half of the cases. Even if values were reassuring, an effort could be made to improve the working conditions and reduce contamination by rethinking the respiratory protection and improving PPE quality.

Lead contamination among Paris Fire Brigade firefighters who fought the Notre Dame Cathedral fire in Paris.

BACKGROUND: On 15th April 2019, the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, resulted in the melting of 410 tons of lead. Four hundred fourteen Paris firefighters were involved. For the purpose of preventive medicine, the level of lead contamination among the firefighters was assessed. This study objectives' were to describe the blood lead levels (BLLs) in the firefighters, to study the influence of some parameters such as the function of firefighters and the decrease in BLLs during the follow-up investigations. METHODS: The emission of 138 kg of melted lead from the roof and spire of the Notre Dame Cathedral during the fire was estimated by the National Institute for Industrial Environment and Risks. Three categories were defined according to the estimated levels of external lead exposure and fire proximity: high (category 1, n = 170), medium (category 2, n = 151), and low (category 3, n = 93). Two to three weeks after the fire, blood samples to assess the BLLs were taken from firefighters in category 1 (N = 164) and from every female firefighter in category 1 and 2 (N = 4). When the BLL was above 50 µg/L (95th percentile of reference range concentrations for a sample of the French population), it was checked again at one month later (N = 31) and then, if still above 50 µg/L, at six months later (N = 10). RESULTS: The geometric mean of initial blood lead level was 31.5 µg/L (CI 95% [27.7-35.9]; Min-Max: 7.0-307.6 µg/L). Twenty-five percent (n = 42) of initial BLLs were above 50 µg/L, versus 10% (n = 16) at 1 month, and 2% (n = 3) at 6 months. The French binding biological BLL limit value (400 µg/L for men and 300 µg/L for women was never exceeded and all BLLs decreased over time. BLLs varied according to the function occupied during the extinguishing of the fire: operators', officers' and those of unknown function. BLLs were significantly higher compared to drivers reflecting their lower distance to fire and fume. CONCLUSIONS: The fire at Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, resulted in moderate lead contamination among firefighters. Individual and collective protection measures probably helped to limit the contamination. Nevertheless, an effort could be made to improve the working conditions by rethinking the respiratory protection.

Effect of age, gender, and time of day on pain-to-call times in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: the CLOC'AGE study. / Efecto de la edad, el sexo y el momento del día en el tiempo hasta el aviso a emergencias en pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST. Estudio CLOC'AGE.

BACKGROUND: The time lapse between onset of symptoms and a call to an emergency dispatch center (pain-to-call time) is a critical prognostic factor in patients with chest pain. It is therefore important to identify factors related to delays in calling for help. OBJECTIVES: To analyze whether age, gender, or time of day influence the pain-to-call delay in patients with acute STsegment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were extracted from a prospective registry of STEMI cases managed by 39 mobile intensive care ambulance teams before hospital arrival within 24 hours of onset in our region, the greater metropolitan area of Paris, France. We analyzed the relation between pain-to-call time and the following factors: age, gender, and the time of day when symptoms appeared. We also assessed the influence of pain-to-call time on the rate of prehospital decisions to implement reperfusion therapy. RESULTS: A total of 24 662 consecutive patients were included; 19 291 (78%) were men and 4371 (22%) were women. The median age was 61 (interquartile range, 52-73) years (men, 59 [51-69] years; women, 73 [59-83] years; P .0001). The median pain-to-call time was 60 (24-164) minutes (men, 55 [23-150] minutes; women, 79 [31-220] minutes; P .0001). The delay varied by time of day from a median of 40 (17-101) minutes in men between 5 pm and 6 pm to 149 (43-377) minutes in women between 2 am and 3 am. The delay was longer in women regardless of time of day and increased significantly with age in both men and women (P .001). A longer pain-to-call time was significantly associated with a lower rate of implementation of myocardial reperfusion (P .001). CONCLUSION: Pain-to-call delays were longer in women and older patients, especially at night. These age and gender differences identify groups that would benefit most from health education interventions.

INTRODUCCION: En el dolor torácico, el tiempo desde el inicio de los síntomas hasta el aviso al sistema de emergencias (TAE) es un factor pronóstico decisivo. Es necesario conocer los factores que pueden influir en su duración. OBJETIVO: Analizar el efecto de la edad, el sexo y el momento del día en el TAE en pacientes con infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST (IAMEST). METODO: Se analizaron los datos de un registro regional prospectivo que incluye a todos los pacientes con IAMEST y 24 horas de evolución atendidos por 39 equipos de ambulancias de soporte vital avanzado en un entorno prehospitalario en el área metropolitana de París, Francia. Se analizó el TAE en relación con la edad, el sexo y el momento de aparición de los síntomas. Se valoró la influencia del TAE en la decisión prehospitalaria de tratamiento de reperfusión. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 24.662 pacientes consecutivos, de los cuales 19.291 (78%) eran hombres; la edad mediana fue de 61 años (RIC 52-73); 59 (51-69) en hombres y 73 (59-83) en mujeres (p 0,0001). El TAE fue de 60 minutos (24-164); 55 (23-150) minutos en hombres y 79 (31-220) minutos en mujeres (p 0,0001), y oscilaba entre 40 (17-101) minutos en hombres entre las 17:00 y las 18:00 y 149 (43-377) en mujeres entre las 02:00 y las 03:00. Independientemente de la hora de aparición del dolor, el TAE fue mayor en mujeres, y aumentó con la edad, tanto en hombres como en mujeres (p 0,001). El TAE prolongado se asoció con un descenso significativo en la decisión prehospitalaria de tratamiento de reperfusión (p 0,001). CONCLUSIONES: El intervalo de TAE fue más largo en mujeres y pacientes mayores, especialmente por la noche. Estos resultados permiten identificar los grupos de pacientes que más se beneficiarían de medidas de educación sanitaria.

Incidence, Mortality, and Outcome-Predictors of Sudden Cardiac Arrest Complicating Myocardial Infarction Prior to Hospital Admission.

BACKGROUND: Mortality of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) decreased drastically, mainly through reduction in inhospital mortality. Prehospital sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) became one of the most feared complications. We assessed the incidence, outcome, and prognosis' predictors of prehospital SCA occurring after emergency medical services (EMS) arrival. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data were taken between 2006 and 2014 from the e-MUST study (Evaluation en Médecine d'Urgence des Strategies Thérapeutiques des infarctus du myocarde) that enrolls all STEMI managed by EMS in the Greater Paris Area, including those dead before hospital admission. Among 13 253 STEMI patients analyzed, 749 (5.6%) presented EMS-witnessed prehospital SCA. Younger age, absence of cardiovascular risk factors, symptoms of heart failure, extensive STEMI, and short pain onset-to-call and call-to-EMS arrival delays were independently associated with increased SCA risk. Mortality rate at hospital discharge was 4.0% in the nonSCA group versus 37.7% in the SCA group ( P<0.001); 26.8% of deaths occurred before hospital admission. Factors associated with increased mortality after SCA were age, heart failure, and extensive STEMI, while male sex and cardiovascular risk factors were associated with decreased mortality. Among patients admitted alive, PCI was the most important mortality-reduction predictor (odds ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.25-0.63; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: More than 1 of 20 STEMI presents prehospital SCA after EMS arrival. SCA occurrence is associated with a 10-fold higher mortality at hospital discharge compared with STEMI without SCA. PCI is the strongest survival predictor, leading to a twice-lower mortality. This highlights the persistently dramatic impact of SCA on STEMI and the major importance of PCI in this setting.

Evolution of ST-Elevation Acute Myocardial Infarction Prevalence by Gender Assessed Age Pyramid Analysis-The Piramyd Study.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies reported a decrease in the incidence of acute myocardial infarction. This favorable evolution does not extend to young women. The interaction between gender, risk factors and myocardial infarction incidence remains controversial. OBJECTIVE: To compare the evolution of the age pyramid of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) according to gender. METHODS: Data from patients with STEMI managed in pre-hospital settings prospectively collected in the greater Paris area. Evolution of patient demographics and risk factors was investigated. RESULTS: 28,249 patients with STEMI were included in the registry between 2002 and 2014, 21,883 (77%) males and 6,366 (23%) females. The sex ratio did not significantly vary over the study period (p = 0.4). Median patient age was 60.1 years (51.1⁻73.0) and was significantly different between males and females, respectively 57.9 (50.0⁻68.3) vs. 72.9 years (58.3⁻82.2) (p = 0.0004). The median age of males significantly (p = 0.0044) increased from 57.6 (50.1⁻70.0) in 2002 to 58.1 years (50.5⁻67.8) in 2014. The median age of females significantly (p = 0.0006) decreased from 73.7 (57.9⁻81.8) to 69.6 years (57.0⁻82.4). The median gap between the age of men and women significantly (p = 0.0002) decreased, from 16.1 to 11.5 years. Prevalence of risk factors was unchanged or decreased except for hypertension which significantly increased in males. The rate of STEMI without reported risk factors increased in both males and females. CONCLUSION: The age of STEMI onset significantly decreased in females, whereas it significantly increased in males. The prevalence of risk factors decreased in males, whereas no significant variation was found in females.

[Reflections on prehospitalisation deaths]. / Réflexions autour du décès en préhospitalier.

In the past, death was a family and community affair, but today it is institutional and entrusted to healthcare personnel. Thanks to a questionnaire on their feelings about prehospitalisation deaths, the experience and training needs for healthcare personnel at a mobile emergency and intensive care service were analysed. The majority of these professionals had been confronted with difficulties when faced with prehospitalisation deaths. There is little understanding of religious rites, even though this is an important point in dealing with the situation. There is a strong desire for training. The pedagogical support offered in response to the needs expressed was recognised as being useful and should be more widespread.

[Private practice nursing, reacting in emergency situations. Private practice nursing, reacting in emergency situations]. / Soins libéraux, réagir en situation d'urgence.

Private practice professionals providing care in patients' homes are often isolated. The care is controlled by a multidisciplinary care network. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, the Aide Médicale Urgente control centre activates if necessary the rapid intervention of emergency services. An accurate assessment, the anticipation of an emergency transfer to hospital and knowledge of the regulatory framework ensure the patient is handled efficiently and respectfully.