[Cardiologic emergencies and natural disaster. Prospective study with Xynthia tempest]

Abstract

Background: Stress-induced cardiomyopathy and ischemic cardiopathy have been described after natural disasters such as earthquakes.

Objectives of the study: Count stress-induced cardiomyopathies and ischemic cardiopathies just after Xynthia tempest which damaged the Vendean coast on February2010, in order to study epidemiology.

Patients and method: Included patients were living in a tempest damaged village, and admitted in Vendee hospital just after or in the week following the tempest, and presenting a suspected acute coronary syndrome or stress-induced cardiomyopathy.

Results: Among 3350 inhabitants of the two damaged Vendean towns, we count three acute coronary syndromes, two Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathies, and one coronary spasm. We count five women and one man, average age is 76.

Conclusion: The diagnosis of ischemic cardiopathy and stress-induced cardiomyopathy is over-represented in this tempest damaged population, that have been little described.