Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the burden of chronic heart failure patients in France

• Published in: Annales de cardiologie et d'angéiologie 2021-10, Vol.70 (4), p.191-195
• Main Authors: Berthelot, Emmanuelle, Flécher, Erwan, Roubille, François, Damy, Thibaud, Lamblin, Nicolas
• Format: Article
• Language: fre
• Subjects: Chronic heart failure; COVID 19 pandemic; insuffisance cardiaque chronique; Management; épidémie COVID 19 prise en charge
• ISSN: 0003-3928
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ancard.2021.07.002

The COVID-19 pandemic in France has led to the implementation of containment measures, limiting medical activity to urgent care. Heart Failure (HF) patients should have particularly been concerned. During the pandemic, movement restrictions and fear of contamination could have worsened HF patients. We conducted two dedicated anonymous questionnaire completed at the end of the first lockdown period in France about the HF patients'symptoms and the cardiologists'pratice. In parallel, data from the SNDS (Système National des Données de Santé) were collected concerning the practices of cardiologists. Regarding HF patients, 1156 participated and filled the questionnaire. 53% were men, aged 61± 15 yo in men and 53±12 yo in women; 13% declared feeling bad during the pandemic period. 36% declared they had more dyspnea, 14% more oedema, 45% a gain of weight and 57% were more tired. 45% of patients declared having spent more than 4 weeks without any appointment with a medical doctor. Regarding Cardiologists, they proposed to perform a remotely follow-up (teleconsultation including visio, phone call management) in 23% of cases. In parallel, data from the SNDS showed that 19% of cardiologist used teleconsultations. Through this original survey, it emerges that despite the HF patients being more symptomatic, cardiological follow-up was difficult and challenging. We suggest that during pandemic, teleconsultations could improve the efficiency and quality of care, reduce demands on patients, and reduce healthcare costs. La pandémie de COVID-19 en France a conduit à la mise en place de mesures de confinement, limitant l'activité médicale aux soins d'urgence. Les patients souffrant d'insuffisance cardiaque (IC) sont particulièrement concernés par l'accès aux soins. Pendant la pandémie, les restrictions de déplacement et la peur de la contamination pourraient aggraver les patients atteints d'IC. Nous avons réalisé deux questionnaires anonymes dédiés aux patients souffrant d'IC chronique et l'autre à la pratique des cardiologues investis dans la prise en charge de l'IC, complétés à la fin de la première période de confinement en France. En parallèle, des données du SNDS (Système national des données de santé) ont été collectées concernant les pratiques des cardiologues concernant les téléconsultations et télésuivis. Concernant les patients IC, 1156 ont participé et ont rempli le questionnaire. 53 % étaient des hommes, âgés de 61 ± 15 ans chez les hommes et de 53 ± 12 ans chez