Suspected acute coronary syndrome in a theater of operations: first management, medical evacuation, and final diagnosis: experience of the French Medical Army.
OBJECTIVE
to evaluate the treatment of the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) among soldiers stationed on a theater of operations by structures usually conceived to treat combat-related trauma.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective study involving the whole medical evacuations out of a theater of operations to the benefit of the French Armed forces, for a suspected diagnosis of ACS.


RESULTS
35 patients were included in this study with 20 for a diagnosis of persistent ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). Only an active smoking defined a population at risk in these high medical selective soldiers. The agreement between the initial and the final diagnosis was excellent for STEMI but remains perfectible for NSTEMI.


CONCLUSIONS
the medical structures deployed in a theater of operations were able to provide first treatment in ACS. The use of powerful diagnosis test, like troponine assay, must allow a better selection of the patients justifying a medical evacuation.
Schiano
P
P
Department of Cardiology, Val-de-Grâce Military Hospital, 74 Boulevard Port-Royal, 75005 Paris, France.
Berend
M
M
Revel
F
F
Borne
M
M
Barbou
F
F
Monségu
J
J
D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D018579:Patient Selection; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000458:organization & administration; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014336:Troponin / Q000097:blood; D014857:Warfare
D014336:Troponin