[Telemedicine from experimentation (ETAPES) to COVIDOM a new era ?] / La télémédecine, d'ETAPES à COVIDOM vers une nouvelle ère ?

Telemedicine has been recognized since 2010 as a constitutive element of care, however, it was not until 2016 that the first national experiments were able to be launched with the aim of validating a framework allowing a possible rapid passage in the common right. These experiments, which are due to end in December 2021, have succeeded in involving more than 100,000 patients, mainly suffering from cardiac pathologies. The arrival of COVID-19 has made it possible to measure the usefulness of practices at a distance both from teleconsultation and telemonitoring, with the appearance of organizational and technical innovations that must now be maintained and developed in order to integrate the telemedicine of tomorrow into our actual medicine.

The isobaric pulmonary arterial compliance in pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension is associated with stiffening of pulmonary arteries which increases right ventricular pulsatile loading. High pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) in postcapillary pulmonary hypertension (Pc-PH) further decreases pulmonary arterial compliance (PAC) at a given pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) compared with precapillary pulmonary hypertension, thus responsible for a higher total arterial load. In all other vascular beds, arterial compliance is considered as mainly determined by the distending pressure, due to non-linear stress-strain behaviour of arteries. We tested the applicability, advantages and drawbacks of two comparison methods of PAC depending on the level of mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP; isobaric PAC) or PVR. Right heart catheterisation data including PAC (stroke volume/pulse pressure) were obtained in 112 Pc-PH (of whom 61 had combined postcapillary and precapillary pulmonary hypertension) and 719 idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (iPAH). PAC could be compared over the same mPAP range (25-66 mmHg) in 792 (95.3%) out of 831 patients and over the same PVR range (3-10.7 WU) in only 520 (62.6%) out of 831 patients. The main assumption underlying comparisons at a given PVR was not verified as the PVR×PAC product (RC-time) was not constant but on the contrary more variable than mPAP. In the 788/831 (94.8%) patients studied over the same PAC range (0.62-6.5 mL·mmHg-1), PVR and thus total arterial load tended to be higher in iPAH. Our study favours comparing PAC at fixed mPAP level (isobaric PAC) rather than at fixed PVR. A reappraisal of the effects of PAWP on the pulsatile and total arterial load put on the right heart is needed, and this point deserves further studies.

Good performance in the management of acute heart failure in cardiogeriatric departments: the ICREX-94 experience.

CONTEXT: A growing number of elderly patients hospitalized for Acute Heart Failure (AHF) are being managed in cardiogeriatrics departments, but their characteristics and prognosis are poorly known. This study aimed to investigate the profile and outcome (rehospitalization at 90 days) of patients hospitalized for AHF in cardiogeriatrics departments in the Val-de-Marne area in the suburbs of Paris, and to compare them to AHF patients hospitalized in cardiology departments in the same area. METHODS: Observational study, ICREX-94, conducted in seven cardiology departments in France and three specific cardiogeriatrics departments in Val-de-Marne. RESULTS: A total of 308 patients were hospitalized for AHF between October 2017 and January 2019. During the 90 days following discharge, 29.6% patients were readmitted to the hospital. Compared with patients hospitalized in cardiology departments, patients in cardiogeriatrics departments were older (p < 0.001), less independent (living more often alone or in an institution) (p < 0.001), more often depressed (p < 0.001), had more often major neurocognitive disorder (p < 0.001), had a higher Human Development Index (HDI, p < 0.001), and were less often diagnosed with amyloidosis (p < 0.001). There was no difference in outcome whether patients were discharged from cardiology or cardiogeriatrics departments. The most frequent precipitating factors underlying AHF decompensation between the first and second hospitalization were arrhythmia and infection. CONCLUSION: AHF patients discharged from cardiogeriatrics departments, compared to cardiology departments, showed clinical differences but had the same prognosis regarding AHF rehospitalization at 90 days.

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Left Ventricular Filling Pressure in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Usefulness of Inferior Vena Cava Measurements and 2016 EACVI/ASE Recommendations.

CONTEXT: The left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) is correlated to right atrial pressure (RAP) in heart failure. We compared diagnostic value of the inferior vena cava (IVC) measurements to the one of the 2016 echocardiographic recommendations to estimate LVFP in patients with suspected heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). METHODS: Invasive hemodynamics and echocardiography were obtained within 48 hours in 132 consecutive patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50%, and suspected pulmonary hypertension. Increased LVFP was defined by a pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) >15 mmHg. RESULTS: Of 83 patients in sinus rhythm, a score of the 2016 recommendations ≥ 2 (E/e' ratio >14 and/or tricuspid regurgitation velocity >2.8 m/s and/or indexed left atrial volume>34 mL /m²) had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 63% for PAWP>15 mmHg, whereas a dilated IVC (>2.1 cm) and/or non-collapsible (≤50%) had a PPV of 82%. The net reclassification improvement was 0.39 (P < .05). In atrial fibrillation (AF), a dilated and/or non-collapsible IVC had an 86% PPV for PAWP>15 mmHg. The correlation between RAP and PAWP was 0.60, with 75.7% concordance (100/132) between dichotomized pressures (both RAP>8 mmHg and PAWP>15 mmHg and vice versa). CONCLUSION: The IVC size and collapsibility is valuable to identify patients with HFpEF with high LVFP in both sinus rhythm and AF.

[Heart failure in patients over 80 years old]. / Insuffisance cardiaque chez les sujets âgés de plus de 80 ans.

Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome that associates clinical signs in people over 80 years of age, an increase in natriuretic peptides and abnormal cardiac structures that result from cardiac aging in many cases. The most common symptoms are grouped according to the acronym "EPOF" (shortness of breath, weight gain, edema, fatigue). Over the age of 80, comorbidities must be taken into account. The incidence and prevalence of HF significantly increases with age and makes HF the most common reason for hospitalization for people over 80, and an important health expense. The management of HF, necessarily multidisciplinary with a geriatric evaluation, has improved over time due to effective targeted treatment, but mortality, hospitalization and readmission rates remain high. Therapeutic education and patient follow-up for treatment optimization are needed.

Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease.

Pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease, also known as group 2 pulmonary hypertension according to the European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society classification, is the most common cause of pulmonary hypertension. In patients with left heart disease, the development of pulmonary hypertension favours right heart dysfunction, which has a major impact on disease severity and outcome. Over the past few years, this condition has been considered more frequently. However, epidemiological studies of group 2 pulmonary hypertension are less exhaustive than studies of other causes of pulmonary hypertension. In group 2 patients, pulmonary hypertension may be caused by an isolated increase in left-sided filling pressures or by a combination of this condition with increased pulmonary vascular resistance, with an abnormally high pressure gradient between arteries and pulmonary veins. A better understanding of the conditions underlying pulmonary hypertension is of key importance to establish a comprehensive diagnosis, leading to an adapted treatment to reduce heart failure morbidity and mortality. In this review, epidemiology, mechanisms and diagnostic approaches are reviewed; then, treatment options and future approaches are considered.

A Clinical and Echocardiographic Score to Identify Pulmonary Hypertension Due to HFpEF.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a frequent cause of pulmonary hypertension (PH) that is not easy to differentiate from precapillary PH. We aimed to determine whether the characteristic features of the patients may help differentiate between HFpEF and precapillary PH. METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinical and echocardiographic parameters were analyzed in 156 patients referred to our PH referral center. Right heart catheterization identified 78 PH-HFpEF patients and 78 with precapillary PH. Compared with precapillary PH, PH-HFpEF patients were older, with a smaller proportion of women, a higher proportion of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation and sleep apnea syndrome, and a higher body mass index. On echocardiography, PH-HFpEF patients had higher left ventricular mass index, higher left atrial area, and smaller right ventricular end-diastolic area. Following multivariate analysis, a model predicting the probability of PH-HFpEF was built with history of diabetes mellitus, presence of atrial fibrillation, left atrial area, right ventricular end-diastolic area, and left ventricular mass index. The score was internally validated using bootstrap method (area under the curve 0.93 [95% confidence interval 0.918-0.938]). A score <5 ruled out PH-HFpEF. CONCLUSION: A score including clinical and echocardiographic criteria may help physicians to identify PH-HFpEF from precapillary PH.

Patient journey in decompensated heart failure: An analysis in departments of cardiology and geriatrics in the Greater Paris University Hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalization for worsening/acute heart failure is increasing in France, and limited data are available on referral/discharge modalities. AIM: To evaluate patients' journeys before and after hospitalization for this condition. METHODS: On 1 day per week, between October 2014 and February 2015, this observational study enrolled 260 consecutive patients with acute/worsening heart failure in all 10 departments of cardiology and four of the departments of geriatrics in the Greater Paris University Hospitals. RESULTS: First medical contact was an emergency unit in 45% of cases, a general practitioner in 16% of cases, an emergency medical ambulance in 13% of cases and a cardiologist in 13% of cases; 78% of patients were admitted directly after first medical contact. In-hospital stay was 13.2±11.3 days; intensive care unit stay (38% of the population) was 6.4±5 days. In-hospital mortality was 2.7%. Overall, 63% of patients were discharged home, whereas 21% were transferred to rehabilitation units. A post-discharge outpatient visit was made by only 72% of patients within 3 months (after a mean of 45±28 days). Only 53% of outpatient appointments were with a cardiologist. CONCLUSION: Emergency departments, ambulances and general practitioners are the main points of entry before hospitalization for acute/worsening heart failure. Home discharge occurs in two of three cases. Time to first patient post-discharge visit is delayed. Therefore, actions to improve the patient journey should target primary care physicians and emergency structures, and efforts should be made to reduce the time to the first visit after discharge.

Long-term effects of pegvisomant on comorbidities in patients with acromegaly: a retrospective single-center study.

CONTEXT: The effect of pegvisomant on IGF1 levels in patients with acromegaly is well documented, but little is known of its long-term impact on comorbidity. AIM: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effects of long-term pegvisomant therapy on cardiorespiratory and metabolic comorbidity in patients with acromegaly. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the long-term (up to 10 years) effect of pegvisomant therapy given alone (n=19, 45%) or in addition to somatostatin analogues and/or cabergoline (n=23, 55%) on echocardiographic, polysomnographic and metabolic parameters in respectively 42, 12 and 26 patients with acromegaly followed in Bicêtre hospital. RESULTS: At the first cardiac evaluation, 20±16 months after pegvisomant introduction, IGF1 levels normalized in 29 (69%) of the 42 patients. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improved significantly in patients whose basal LVEF was ≤60% and decreased in those whose LVEF was >70%. The left ventricular mass index (LVMi) decreased from 123±25 to 101±21 g/m(2) (P<0.05) in the 17 patients with a basal LVMi higher than the median (91 g/m(2)), while it remained stable in the other patients. Pegvisomant reduced the apnoea-hypopnea index and cured obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in four of the eight patients concerned. Long-term follow-up of 22 patients showed continuing improvements in cardiac parameters. The BMI and LDL cholesterol level increased minimally during pegvisomant therapy, and other lipid parameters were not modified. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term pegvisomant therapy not only normalizes IGF1 in a large proportion of patients but also improves cardiac and respiratory comorbidity.

Changes in ventricular-arterial coupling during decongestive therapy in acute heart failure.

AIMS: Coupled arterial and left ventricular properties are poorly documented in acute heart failure. The aim of this prospective noninvasive study was to document early changes in ventricular-arterial coupling in patients with acutely decompensated HF (ADHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 19 patients hospitalized for ADHF (age 62 ± 15 years, NYHA class 3 or 4). Patients with shock and sustained arrhythmias were excluded. All the patients received intravenous loop diuretics, and none received intravenous vasodilators or inotropes. Ongoing chronic treatments were maintained. Echocardiography and radial artery tonometry were performed simultaneously on admission and after clinical improvement (day 4 ± 1 after admission). Classical echocardiographic parameters were measured, including stroke volume (SV). End-systolic pressure (Pes) was derived from reconstructed central aortic pressure, and arterial elastance (Ea) was calculated as Ea = Pes/SV. End-systolic LV elastance (Ees) was calculated with the single-beat method. Ventricular-arterial coupling was quantified as the Ea/Ees ratio. Following IV diuretic therapy, mean weight loss was 5 ± 2 kg (P < 0·01) and BNP fell from 1813 (median) (IQR = 1284-2342) to 694 (334-1053) pg/mL (P < 0·01). Ea fell by 29%, from 2·46 (2·05-2·86) to 1·78 (1·55-2·00) mmHg/mL (P < 0·01), while Ees remained unchanged (1·28 (1·05-1·52) to 1·13 (0·92-1·34) mmHg/mL). The Ea/Ees ratio therefore fell, from 2·13 (1·70-2·56) to 1·81 (1·56-2·08) (P < 0·02). CONCLUSION: An early improvement in ventricular-arterial coupling was observed after diuretic-related decongestive therapy in ADHF patients and was related to a decrease in effective arterial elastance rather than to change in LV contractility.

Impaired renal function and bleeding in elderly treated with dabigatran.

Advantages of dabigatran, a thrombin inhibitor, for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation are numerous. Elderly patients with impaired renal function are at high risk of bleeding. Recommendations about the renal monitoring in elderly patients are not precise enough. The hemoclot direct thrombin inhibitor (HTI) assay measures accurately the dabigatran activity. Both could help managing serious bleeding events in selected populations. Four elderly patients recently treated with appropriate doses of dabigatran were hospitalized for major bleeding. Three patients were very elderly (> 80 years) and three had impaired renal function (clearance < 50 ml/min) before treatment initiation. Serious bleeding events occurred shortly after dabigatran initiation (< 2 months). In all cases, there was a documented dabigatran plasma overdose associated with a renal function impairment concomitant with the bleeding. Why should physicians be aware of this finding?: A close follow-up of the renal function in clinically fragile elderly patient, before and during the weeks following dabigatran initiation, could help to detect the risk of major bleeding event. The HTI dosage could help managing the treatment in case of severe bleeding event.

Expert consensus of the French Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology and the French Society of Cardiology on the management of atrial fibrillation in elderly people.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common and serious condition in the elderly. AF affects between 600,000 and one million patients in France, two-thirds of whom are aged above 75 years. AF is a predictive factor for mortality in the elderly and a major risk factor for stroke. Co-morbidities are frequent and worsen the prognosis. The management of AF in the elderly should involve a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), which analyses both medical and psychosocial elements, enabling evaluation of the patient's functional status and social situation and the identification of co-morbidities. The CGA enables the detection of "frailty" using screening tools assessing cognitive function, risk of falls, nutritional status, mood disorders, autonomy and social environment. The objectives of AF treatment in the elderly are to prevent AF complications, particularly stroke, and improve quality of life. Specific precautions for treatment must be taken because of the co-morbidities and age-related changes in pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics. Preventing AF complications relies mainly on anticoagulant therapy. Anticoagulants are recommended in patients with AF aged 75 years or above after assessing the bleeding risk using the HEMORR2HAGES or HAS-BLED scores. Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are promising treatments, especially due to a lower risk of intracerebral haemorrhage. However, their prescriptions should take into account renal function (creatinine clearance assessed with Cockcroft formula) and cognitive function (for adherence to treatment). Studies including frail patients in "real life" are necessary to evaluate tolerance of NOACs. Management of AF also involves the treatment of underlying cardiomyopathy and heart rate control rather than a rhythm-control strategy as first-line therapy for elderly patients, especially if they are paucisymptomatic. Antiarrhythmic drugs should be used carefully in elderly patients because of the frequency of metabolic abnormalities and higher risk of drug interactions and bradycardia.

[Expert consensus of the French society of geriatrics and gerontology and the French society of cardiology on the management of atrial fibrillation in elderly people]. / Consensus d'experts de la Société française de gériatrie et gérontologie et de la Société française de cardiologie, sur la prise en charge de la fibrillation atriale du sujet âgé

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) increase with ageing. In France AF affects between 400,000 to 660,000 people aged 75 years or more. In the elderly, AF is a major risk factor of stroke and a predictive factor for mortality. Comorbidities are frequent and worsen the prognosis of AF. They can be the cause or the consequence of AF and their management is a major therapeutic objective. Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), is required to analyse both medical and psychosocial elements, and to identify co-morbidities and geriatrics syndrome as cognitive disorders, risk of falls, malnutrition, mood disorders, and lack of dependency and social isolation. The objectives of AF treatment in the elderly are to prevent AF complications, particularly stroke, and to improve quality of life. Specific precautions for treatment must be taken because of the co-morbidities and age-related changes in pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics. Preventing AF complications relies mainly on anticoagulant therapy. Anticoagulants are recommended in patients with AF aged ≥ 75 years after assessing the bleeding risk using Hemorr2hages or HAS-BLED scores. Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are promising treatments especially due to a lower risk of intracerebral haemorrhage. However, their prescriptions should take into account renal function (creatinine clearance assessed with Cockcroft formula) and cognitive function (for adherence to treatment). Studies including very old patients with several comorbidities in 'real life' are necessary to evaluate tolerance of NOACs in this population. The management of AF also involves the treatment of underlying cardiomyopathy and heart rate control rather than rhythm control strategy as first-line therapy in the elderly.

[Treatment of native coarctation in adults]. / Traitement de la coarctation native de l'aorte de l'adulte.

Aortic coarctation is the reflection of a wider vasculopathy affecting the precoarctation arterial tree. Patients should be screened for associated heart disease and anomalies of supra-aortic arch vessels. Treatment options include surgical repair or balloon angioplasty with or without stent-graft implantation. Both treatment options can be complicated by recoarctation or aortic aneurysms and warrant lifelong surveillance. In adults, anatomic correction of coarctation has fewer effects on arterial pressure than in infants. Thus, systemic hypertension may persist in up to half of treated patients. Recoarctation or unrecognized aortic arch hypoplasia should nevertheless be eliminated.

Impact of transfer time on mortality in acute coronary syndrome with ST-segment elevation treated by angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: In primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI), conflicting data exist on the relative importance of patient presentation time (time from symptom onset (SO) to first medical contact [FMC]) and transfer time (time from FMC to sheath insertion). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of transfer time on mortality in an unselected ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) population treated with pPCI. METHODS: In a well-organized urban network, using mobile intensive care units (MICU) whenever possible, the impact of transfer time on inhospital mortality was evaluated in 703 unselected consecutive STEMI patients transferred for pPCI. RESULTS: Our STEMI population included patients with cardiogenic shock (5.3%) and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (3.7%). Longer transfer times were found to be associated with a stepwise increase in mortality ranging from 2.99% in the first quartile (Q1) up to 8.65% in the fourth quartile (Q4) (P=0.005). This result was noted in patients presenting early (≤2h of SO, 0.96% for Q1 vs. 9.8% for Q4, P=0.006) but not in late presenters (>2h of SO, 7.00% for Q1 vs. 7.8% for Q4, P=0.85). After adjustment for confounding variables such as the severity of patients, the relationship between mortality and transfer time was no longer apparent. CONCLUSIONS: In a well-organized urban network dedicated to pPCI, including unselected STEMI patients, transfer time does not appear to be a major contributor to mortality. The relationship of transfer time to mortality seems to be dependent on presentation time and patients' clinical severity.

Cortical border-zone infarcts: clinical features, causes and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical features, causes and outcome of cerebral cortical border-zone infarcts BZI (C-BZI). METHODS: The authors prospectively included patients with MRI-confirmed C-BZI among individuals consecutively admitted in Stroke Unit. RESULTS: Forty-five patients presented C-BZI out of 589 with MRI-confirmed cerebral infarcts (7.6%). Particular clinical characteristics existed in C-BZI in comparison with other cerebral infarctions as a whole, including: (1) frequent transient symptoms at onset (27% vs 9%; p<0.001) and low severity score (NIHSS=3.1±3.0 vs 5.2±6.1; p=0.02); (2) early seizures in first 2 weeks (7/45 (15.6%) vs 12/544 (2.2%); p<0.001), even when focusing only on other infarctions involving the cerebral cortex (15.6% vs 4.3%; p<0.01); (3) heterogeneous clinical presentation but specific transcortical aphasia allowing a clinical suspicion of BZI before MRI; and (4) frequently associated internal carotid disease (69%), with subsequent early surgery in 75% of the cases. Following adapted care in stroke unit, C-BZIs' prognosis appeared good (Rankin score ≤2 at D90) for 82% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Some clinical features are overrepresented in such infarctions, including initial transient symptoms preceding the onset of a completed deficit, transcortical aphasia and early seizures. Despite lower initial severity, C-BZIs justify early management in stroke unit, often followed by carotid surgery, leading to an overall good prognosis.

No evidence of a detrimental effect of cabergoline therapy on cardiac valves in patients with acromegaly.

CONTEXT: The effects of cabergoline on cardiac valves have been extensively studied in Parkinson's disease and hyperprolactinemia but not in acromegaly, a condition at risk of cardiac valve abnormalities. OBJECTIVE: We examined the prevalence and incidence of heart valve disease and regurgitation in a series of patients with acromegaly treated with cabergoline, by comparison with matched patients who had never received this drug. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a cross-sectional and longitudinal study in a single referral center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-two patients who had received cabergoline at a median cumulative dose of 203 mg for a median of 35 months were compared to 46 patients with acromegaly who had never received cabergoline and who were matched for age, sex, and disease duration. A subgroup of patients receiving cabergoline (n = 26) was evaluated longitudinally before and during cabergoline treatment and compared to a group not receiving cabergoline and followed during the same period (n = 26). Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic findings were reviewed by two cardiologists blinded to treatment. RESULTS: Demographic and clinical features were not significantly different between the groups. Compared to acromegalic controls, patients receiving cabergoline did not have a higher prevalence or incidence of valve abnormalities. A slightly higher prevalence of aortic valve regurgitation and remodeling was found in the controls relative to the cabergoline-treated patients (P < 0.02 and P < 0.03, respectively), but this was related to the presence of aortic dilatation. CONCLUSION: Cabergoline therapy is not associated with an increased risk of cardiac valve regurgitation or remodeling in acromegalic patients at the doses used in this study.