[Analysis of cardiovascular complications occurring during inter-hospital transfers of patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction]

Abstract

Aim of the study: Patients with non ST-segment elevated acute coronary syndrome justify specific management in a hospital with an Intensive Cardiac Care Unit. In our area, these transfers are often provided by the Emergency Medical Service. Nevertheless we wonder whether a quasi-systematic medicalization of these patients is rational.

Patients and method: We tried to authenticate the need for medicalization of these patients through a prospective study including any patient with acute non-ST elevation Coronary Syndrome managed in one of the peripheral hospitals of the area and transferred to the major hospital center in La Roche-sur-Yon. We noted all the complications that occurred during the transfer and, if need be, when these complications required medical intervention.

Results: Out of 226 patients included, 19 had a complicated form of acute non-ST elevation Coronary Syndrome. Out of the remaining 207 patients, 16 (7.7 %) showed a complication during their transfer, 5 of which underwent a medical intervention, none of which was immediately vital. Nevertheless, the statistical analysis did not highlight any significant worsening factors.

Conclusion: The low rate of complications occurring during the transfer of initially stable patients encourages us to limit our indications of medicalization in favour of only the unstable patients or having a complication of their non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome.

Keywords: Complication; Emergency Medical Service; Medicalisation; Médicalisation; NSTEMI; SCA non ST+; Samu; Transfer; Transfert.