[Impact of COVID-19 on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction care. The Spanish experience]

Open data for monitoring COVID-19 in Spain: Descriptive study

BACKGROUND

The indicators of the pandemic have been based on the total number of diagnosed cases of COVID-19, the number of people hospitalized or in intensive care units, and deaths from the infection. The aim of this study is to describe the available data on diagnostic tests, health service used for the diagnosis of COVID-19, case detection and monitoring.

METHOD

Descriptive study with review of official data available on the websites of the Spanish health councils corresponding to 17 Autonomous Communities, 2 Autonomous cities and the Ministry of Health. The variables collected refer to contact tracing, technics for diagnosis, use of health services and follow-up.

RESULTS

All regions of Spain show data on diagnosed cases of COVID-19 and deaths. Hospitalized cases and intensive care admissions are shown in all regions except the Balearic Islands. Diagnostic tests for COVID-19 have been registered in all regions except Madrid region and Extremadura, with scarcely information on what type of test has been performed (present in 7 CCAA), requesting service and study of contacts.

CONCLUSIONS

The information available on the official websites of the Health Departments of the different regions of Spain are heterogeneous. Data from the use of health service or workload in Primary Care, Emergency department or Out of hours services are almost non-existent.

Predicted clinical and economic burden associated with reduction in access to acute coronary interventional care during the COVID-19 lockdown in two European countries

AIMS

As a consequence of untimely or missed revascularization of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, many patients died at home or survived with serious sequelae, resulting in potential long-term worse prognosis and related health-economic implications.This analysis sought to predict long-term health outcomes [survival and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs)] and cost of reduced treatment of STEMIs occurring during the first COVID-19 lockdown.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using a Markov decision-analytic model, we incorporated probability of hospitalization, timeliness of PCI, and projected long-term survival and cost (including societal costs) of mortality and morbidity, for STEMI occurring during the first UK and Spanish lockdowns, comparing them with expected pre-lockdown outcomes for an equivalent patient group.STEMI patients during the first UK lockdown were predicted to lose an average of 1.55 life-years and 1.17 QALYs compared with patients presenting with a STEMI pre-pandemic. Based on an annual STEMI incidence of 49 332 cases, the total additional lifetime costs calculated at the population level were £36.6 million (€41.3 million), mainly driven by costs of work absenteeism. Similarly in Spain, STEMI patients during the lockdown were expected to survive 2.03 years less than pre-pandemic patients, with a corresponding reduction in projected QALYs (-1.63). At the population level, reduced PCI access would lead to additional costs of €88.6 million.

CONCLUSION

The effect of a 1-month lockdown on STEMI treatment led to a reduction in survival and QALYs compared to the pre-pandemic era. Moreover, in working-age patients, untimely revascularization led to adverse prognosis, affecting societal productivity and therefore considerably increasing societal costs.

In-Hospital Outcomes of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in COVID-19 Positive Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Intervention

BACKGROUND

Concomitant coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are associated with increased adverse in-hospital outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimded to evaluate the angiographic, procedural, laboratory, and prognostic differences in COVID-19-positive and negative patients with STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

A single-center, retrospective, observational study was conducted between November 2020 and August 2022 in a tertiary-level hospital. According to their status, patients were divided into two groups (COVID-19 positive and negative). All patients were admitted due to confirmed STEMI and treated with primary PCI. In-hospital and angiographic outcomes were compared between the two groups. Two-sided p-values < 0.05 were accepted as statistically significant.

RESULTS

Of the 494 STEMI patients enrolled in this study, 42 were identified as having a positive dagnosis for COVID-19 (8.5%), while 452 were negative. The patients who tested positive for COVID-19 had a longer total ischemic time than did those who tested negative for COVID-19 (p=0.006). Moreover, these patients presented an increase in stent thrombosis (7.1% vs. 1.7%, p=0.002), length of hospitalization (4 days vs. 3 days, p= 0.018), cardiogenic shock (14.2% vs. 5.5 %, p= 0.023), and in-hospital total and cardiac mortality (p<0.001 and p=0.032, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with STEMI with concomitant COVID-19 infections were associated with increased major adverse cardiac events. Further studies are needed to understand the exact mechanisms of adverse outcomes in these patients.

The Characteristics and Laboratory Findings of SARS-CoV-2 Infected Patients during the First Three COVID-19 Waves in Portugal-A Retrospective Single-Center Study

Background and Objectives: Given the wide spectrum of clinical and laboratory manifestations of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), it is imperative to identify potential contributing factors to patients' outcomes. However, a limited number of studies have assessed how the different waves affected the progression of the disease, more so in Portugal. Therefore, our main purpose was to study the clinical and laboratory patterns of COVID-19 in an unvaccinated population admitted to the intensive care unit, identifying characteristics associated with death, in each of the first three waves of the pandemic. Materials and Methods: This study included 337 COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit of a single-center hospital in Lisbon, Portugal, between March 2020 and March 2021. Comparisons were made between three COVID-19 waves, in the second (n = 325) and seventh (n = 216) days after admission, and between discharged and deceased patients. Results: Deceased patients were considerably older (p = 0.021) and needed greater ventilatory assistance (p = 0.023), especially in the first wave. Differences between discharged and deceased patients' biomarkers were minimal in the first wave, on both analyzed days. In the second wave significant differences emerged in troponins, lactate dehydrogenase, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, and white blood cell subpopulations, as well as platelet-to-lymphocyte and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, in the third wave, platelets and D-dimers were also significantly different between patients' groups (all p < 0.05). From the second to the seventh days, troponins and lactate dehydrogenase showed significant decreases, mainly for discharged patients, while platelet counts increased (all p < 0.01). Lymphocytes significantly increased in discharged patients (all p < 0.05), while white blood cells rose in the second (all p < 0.001) and third (all p < 0.05) waves among deceased patients. Conclusions: This study yields insights into COVID-19 patients' characteristics and mortality-associated biomarkers during Portugal's first three COVID-19 waves, highlighting the importance of considering wave variations in future research due to potential significant outcome differences.

Ischaemic stroke in patients with diabetes requiring urgent procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea: a retrospective, nationwide, population-based cohort study using data from the National Emergency Department Information System

OBJECTIVES

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in suboptimal care for ischaemic stroke. Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), a high-risk group for stroke, had compromised routine care during the pandemic, which increases the chance of stroke. We examined influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of ischaemic stroke in patients with DM in South Korea.

DESIGN

Retrospective, nationwide, population-based cohort study.

SETTING

Data from the National Emergency Department Information System.

PARTICIPANTS

We analysed 11 734 patients diagnosed with acute ischaemic stroke who underwent intravenous thrombolysis or endovascular thrombectomy between 2019 (the reference year) and 2020 (the pandemic year). Among them, 1014 subjects with DM were analysed separately.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The frequency of emergency department (ED) visits, time from symptom onset to ED, from ED visit to admission and in-hospital mortality were compared between two periods in the overall population and in patients with DM.

RESULTS

During the pandemic, the incidence of ischaemic stroke requiring urgent procedures increased by 7.57% in total and by 9.03% in patients with DM. Time delay from symptom onset to ED (reference vs pandemic, total: 1.50 vs 1.55 hours; p<0.01) and from ED visit to admission (total: 3.88 vs 3.92 hours; p=0.02) occurred during the pandemic in the overall population, but not significantly in patients with DM specifically. Older patients with DM showed higher chances of intensive care unit (ICU) admission during the pandemic: 53.5% vs 62.8% in age 70-79, 60.5% vs 71.9% in age 80-89 and 20.0% vs 70.8% in age ≥90 years (all p=0.01). There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between two periods (total: 8.2% vs 8.4%, p=0.65; DM: 8.1% vs 6.7%, p=0.25).

CONCLUSIONS

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of ischaemic stroke requiring urgent procedures increased, and older patients with DM showed a higher ICU admission rate. However, the pandemic was not associated with an increased in-hospital stroke mortality.

Impact of COVID-19 on incidence and outcomes of post-infarction mechanical complications in Europe

OBJECTIVES

Post-acute myocardial infarction mechanical complications (post-AMI MCs) represent rare but life-threatening conditions, including free-wall rupture, ventricular septal rupture and papillary muscle rupture. During the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, an overwhelming pressure on healthcare systems led to delayed and potentially suboptimal treatments for time-dependent conditions. As AMI-related hospitalizations decreased, limited information is available whether higher rates of post-AMI MCs and related deaths occurred in this setting. This study was aimed to assess how COVID-19 in Europe has impacted the incidence, treatment and outcome of MCs.

METHODS

The CAUTION-COVID19 study is a multicentre retrospective study collecting 175 patients with post-AMI MCs in 18 centres from 6 European countries, aimed to compare the incidence of such events, related patients' characteristics, and outcomes, between the first year of pandemic and the 2 previous years.

RESULTS

A non-significant increase in MCs was observed [odds ratio (OR) = 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.85-1.57; P = 0.364], with stronger growth in ventricular septal rupture diagnoses (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 0.95-2.18; P = 0.090). No significant differences in treatment types and mortality were found between the 2 periods. In-hospital mortality was 50.9% and was higher for conservatively managed cases (90.9%) and lower for surgical patients (44.0%). Patients admitted during COVID-19 more frequently had late-presenting infarction (OR = 2.47, 95% CI 1.24-4.92; P = 0.010), more stable conditions (OR = 2.61, 95% CI 1.27-5.35; P = 0.009) and higher EuroSCORE II (OR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.06; P = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

A non-significant increase in MCs incidence occurred during the first year of COVID-19, characterized by a significantly higher rate of late-presenting infarction, stable conditions and EuroSCORE-II if compared to pre-pandemic data, without affecting treatment and mortality.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on visits to the hospital emergency service in two hospitals in Spain, from March 14, 2020 to June 21, 2020

This study will describe trends in the use of emergency departments before and after the Spanish State of Alarm, especially in pathologies not directly related to this infection. A cross-sectional study was conducted of all visits to the emergency departments in two third-level hospitals in two Spanish communities during the Spanish State of Alarm, compared with the same period of the previous year. The variables collected included the day of the week, the time of the visit, the duration of the visit, the final destination of the patients (home, admission to a conventional hospitalization ward, admission to the intensive care unit, and death), and the diagnosis at discharge according to the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision. During the Spanish State of Alarm period, an overall decrease in care demand of 48% was observed, which reached 69.5% in pediatric emergency departments. We also saw a drop of between 20 and 30% in time-dependent pathologies (heart attack, stroke, sepsis, poisoning). The decrease in overall attendance in the emergency departments and absence of serious pathologies, such as time-dependent diseases, observed during the Spanish State of Alarm compared to the previous year highlights the need to strengthen the messages addressed to the population to encourage them to seek care without delay in case of alarming symptoms and reduce the high morbidity and mortality rate if the diagnosis is delayed.

Performance analysis of a STEMI network: prognostic impact of the type of first medical contact facility

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Prognosis in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is determined by delay in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). The impact of first medical contact (FMC) facility type on reperfusion delays and mortality remains controversial.

METHODS

We performed a prospective registry of primary coronary intervention (PCI)-treated STEMI patients (2010-2020) in the Codi Infart STEMI network. We analyzed 1-year all-cause mortality depending on the FMC facility type: emergency medical service (EMS), community hospital (CH), PCI hospital (PCI-H), or primary care center (PCC).

RESULTS

We included 18 332 patients (EMS 34.3%; CH 33.5%; PCI-H 12.3%; PCC 20.0%). Patients with Killip-Kimball classes III-IV were: EMS 8.43%, CH 5.54%, PCI-H 7.51%, PCC 3.76% (P <.001). All comorbidities and first medical assistance complications were more frequent in the EMS and PCI-H groups (P <.05) and were less frequent in the PCC group (P <.05 for most variables). The PCI-H group had the shortest FMC-to-PCI delay (median 82 minutes); the EMS group achieved the shortest total ischemic time (median 151 minutes); CH had the longest reperfusion delays (P <.001). In an adjusted logistic regression model, the PCI-H and CH groups were associated with higher 1-year mortality, OR, 1.22 (95%CI, 1.00-1.48; P=.048), and OR, 1.17 (95%CI 1.02-1.36; P=.030), respectively, while the PCC group was associated with lower 1-year mortality than the EMS group, OR, 0.71 (95%CI 0.58-0.86; P <.001).

CONCLUSIONS

FMC with PCI-H and CH was associated with higher adjusted 1-year mortality than FMC with EMS. The PCC group had a much lower intrinsic risk and was associated with better outcomes despite longer revascularization delays.

Brazilian Registry of Interventional Cardiology during the COVID-19 Pandemic (RBCI-COVID19)

BACKGROUND

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with myocardial infarction (MI) took longer to present to hospitals because of fear of contamination and health care access difficulties.

OBJECTIVES

To assess interventional cardiology procedures performed during the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for MI approach.

METHODS

Prospective registry of 24 cardiac catheterization laboratories in Brazil, with adult patients undergoing interventional cardiology procedures between May 26 and November 30, 2020. The outcomes were cardiovascular (CV) and non-CV complications, death, and MI. Concomitant COVID-19 was confirmed using RT-PCR. Machine learning techniques were used with nonparametric Classification Trees models, and Simple Correspondence Analysis, with R statistical software package. Significance level adopted of 5%.

RESULTS

This study included 1282 patients, 435 of whom (33.9%) had MI as follows: ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI), 239 (54.9%); and non-ST-segment elevation MI (NSTEMI), 196 (45.1%). Of the 1282 patients, 29 had CV complications, 47 had non-CV complications, and 31 died. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed in 77 patients (6%), with 15.58% mortality and non-CV complications in 6.49%. Most patients had significant coronary artery disease (63%), and an intracoronary thrombus was more often found in the presence of STEMI (3.4%) and COVID-19 (4%). A door-to-table time longer than 12 hours in NSTEMI was associated with 30.8% of complications, 25% in COVID-19 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

All deaths were preceded by CV or non-CV complications. The presence of COVID-19 was associated with death and non-fatal complications of patients undergoing interventional cardiology procedures during the pandemic.

Changes in the Utilization of Health Care Services by Cancer Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic

PURPOSE

The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea elicited changes in healthcare service utilization. This study aimed to report changes in healthcare service utilization among cancer patients during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed records from National Health Insurance Service Database and identified cancer patients as those with specific beneficiary codes ("V193" or "V194") assigned to cancer patients. We calculated percentage changes in the number of patients between 2019 and 2020 based on claims records for outpatient clinic visits, hospitalization, and emergency room visits by month, age group, residential areas, and hospital location.

RESULTS

The number of newly diagnosed cancer patients in 2020 decreased by 3.2%, compared to the previous year. The number of patients who visited an outpatient clinic, were hospitalized, and visited the emergency room decreased by 2.6%, 4.0%, and 3.5%, respectively, in 2020, compared to the year 2019.

CONCLUSION

During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of newly diagnosed cancer patients decreased by 3.2%, compared to the previous year, and their utilization of healthcare services declined significantly after the outbreak of COVID-19.

Real-World Attainment of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Goals in Patients at High Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Treated with High-Intensity Statins: The TERESA Study

Despite steady improvements in cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, a scarce proportion of patients achieve the recommended LDL-C goals, even under high-intensity lipid-lowering therapy (LLT). Our study aimed to evaluate the attainment rate of LDL-C targets recommended by the 2019 European guidelines, and to characterize potential factors associated with LDL-C goal achievement and change patterns in LLT. We conducted a retrospective, observational study on patients treated with high-intensity atorvastatin or rosuvastatin ± ezetimibe at cardiology and internal medicine clinics across Spain. It included 1570 evaluable patients (median age: 62 years; established CVD: 77.5% [myocardial infarction: 34.3%]; and 85.8% at very high cardiovascular risk). Rosuvastatin ± ezetimibe was the LLT in 52.2% of patients, and atorvastatin ± ezetimibe in 47.8%. LLT had been modified in 36.8% of patients (side effects: 10%), being the most common switch from atorvastatin- to rosuvastatin-based treatment (77.2%). The risk-based LDL-C goal attainment rate was 31.1%, with 78.2% high-risk and 71.7% very high-risk patients not achieving the recommended LDL-C targets. Established CVD and familial hypercholesterolemia were significantly associated with the non-achievement of LDL-C goals. Although having limitations, this study shows that the guideline-recommended LDL-C goal attainment rate is still suboptimal despite using high-intensity statin therapy in a real-world setting in Spain.

Reshaping care in the aftermath of the pandemic. Implications for cardiology health systems

In the last two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably changed everyday life and significantly reshaped the healthcare systems. Besides the direct effect on daily care leading to significant excess mortality, several collateral damages have been observed during the pandemic. The impact of the pandemic led to staff shortages, disrupted education, worse healthcare professional well-being, and a lack of proper clinical training and research. In this review we highlight the results of these important changes and how can the healthcare systems can adapt to prevent unprecedented events in case of future catastrophes.

Effect of Austrian COVID-19 lockdowns on acute myocardial infarction frequency and long-term mortality: a multicentre observational study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to find out if the decrease in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) admissions during the first COVID-19 lockdowns (LD), which was described by previous studies, occurred equally in all LD periods (LD1, LD2, LD2021), which had identical restrictions. Further, we wanted to analyse if the decrease of AMI admission had any association with the 1-year mortality rate.

DESIGN AND SETTING

This study is a prospective observational study of two centres that are participating in the Vienna ST-elevation myocardial infarction network.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1732 patients who presented with AMI according to the 4th universal definition of myocardial infarction in 2019, 2020 and the LD period of 2021 were included in our study. Patients with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries were excluded from our study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome of this study was the frequency of AMI during the LD periods and the all-cause and cardiac-cause 1-year mortality rate of 2019 (pre-COVID-19) and 2020.

RESULTS

Out of 1732 patients, 70% (n=1205) were male and median age was 64 years. There was a decrease in AMI admissions of 55% in LD1, 28% in LD2 and 17% in LD2021 compared with 2019.There were no differences in all-cause 1-year mortality between the year 2019 (11%; n=110) and 2020 (11%; n=79; p=0.92) or death by cardiac causes [10% (n=97) 2019 vs 10% (n=71) 2020; p=0.983].

CONCLUSION

All LDs showed a decrease in AMI admissions, though not to the same extent, even though the regulatory measures were equal. Admission in an LD period was not associated with cardiac or all-cause 1-year mortality rate in AMI patients in our study.

Use of Cardiac Procedures in People with Diabetes during the COVID Pandemic in Spain: Effects on the In-Hospital Mortality

We aimed to assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain on people with diabetes undergoing cardiac procedures, such as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), open surgical valve replacement (OSVR), and transcatheter valve implantation (TCVI). We compared the year 2019 with the year 2020. We conducted an observational study using data from the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020. In 2020, a total of 21,067 cardiac procedures were performed on people with diabetes compared with 24,675 in the previous year. The use of CABG, PCI, OSVR and TCVI decreased from 2019 to 2020 by 13.9%, 14.8%, 21.4% and 2.9%, respectively. In 2020, patients had a significantly higher mean Charlson Comorbidity Index than in 2019 for all the cardiac procedures analyzed. In-hospital mortality (IHM) was higher (p > 0.05) for all the procedures in the year 2020. Over the entire period, female sex was a significant risk factor for IHM among those who underwent CABG, PCI and OSVR (OR 1.94, 95%CI 1.41-2.66; OR 1.19, 95%CI 1.05-1.35; and OR 1.79, 95%CI 1.38-2.32, respectively). The sensitivity analysis including two more years, 2017 and 2018, confirmed that female patients and comorbidity were risk factors for IHM in patients with diabetes regardless of whether it was during the pandemic era or before. We conclude that the frequency of cardiac procedures among people with diabetes declined in 2020. IHM did not change significantly in the COVID-19 era.

Outcomes among ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) patients with cardiogenic shock and COVID-19: A nationwide analysis

Background

There is paucity of data regarding the characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted for ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS) with concomitant Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.

Methods

Using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) Database for the year 2020, we conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate the outcomes of patients who sustained STEMI-associated cardiogenic shock (STEMI-CS) with concomitant COVID-19 infection looking at its impact on in-hospital mortality and secondarily at the in-hospital procedure and intervention utilization rates as well as hospital length of stay.

Results

We identified a total of 22,775 patients with STEMI-CS, of which 1.71 % (n = 390/22,775) had COVID-19 infection. Using a stepwise survey multivariable logistic regression model that adjusted for patient and hospital level confounders, concomitant COVID-19 infection among STEMI-CS patients was found to be an independent predictor of overall in-hospital mortality compared to those without COVID-19 (adjusted OR 2.10; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.30-3.40). STEMI-CS patients with concomitant COVID-19 infection had similar in-hospital utilization rates for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), percutaneous and durable left ventricular device, intra-arterial aortic balloon pump (IABP), renal replacement therapy (RRT), mechanical ventilation, as well as similar hospital lengths of stay.

Conclusion

Concomitant COVID-19 infection was associated with higher in-hospital mortality rates among patients with cardiogenic shock related to STEMI but had similar in-hospital procedure and intervention utilization rates as well as hospital length of stay.

Did COVID-19 lockdown delay actually worsen melanoma prognosis?

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 lockdown possibly meant a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and therefore, worsening its prognosis. This unique situation of diagnosis deferral is an exceptional opportunity to investigate melanoma biology.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the immediate and mid-term impact of diagnosis delay on melanoma.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study of melanoma diagnosed between March 14^th 2019 and March 13^th 2021. We compared the characteristics of melanomas diagnosed during the first 6-month period after the lockdown instauration and a second period after recovery of normal activity with the same periods of the previous year, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 119 melanomas were diagnosed. There were no differences in age, sex, incidence, location, presence of ulceration or mitoses, and in situ/invasive melanoma rate (p>0.05). After the recovery of the normal activity, Breslow thickness increased in comparison with the previous year (2.4 vs 1.9mm, p<0.05) resulting in a significant upstaging according to the AJCC 8^th ed. (p<0.05).

STUDY LIMITATIONS

The main limitation is that this is a single-center study.

CONCLUSIONS

The COVID-19 lockdown implied a diagnosis delay leading to a mid-term increase in Breslow thickness and an upstaging of invasive melanomas. However, the detection deferral did not result in a higher progression of in situ to invasive melanoma, in our sample.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on percutaneous coronary interventions in Portugal

INTRODUCTION

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed an unprecedented burden on healthcare systems worldwide, changing the profile of interventional cardiology activity.

OBJECTIVES

To quantify and compare the number of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) performed for acute and chronic coronary syndromes during the first COVID-19 outbreak with the corresponding period in previous years.

METHODS

Data on PCI from the prospective multicenter Portuguese Registry on Interventional Cardiology (RNCI) were used to analyze changes in PCI for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) and chronic coronary syndromes (CCS). The number of PCIs performed during the initial period of the COVID-19 outbreak in Portugal, from March 1 to May 2, 2020, was compared with the mean frequency of PCIs performed during the corresponding period in the previous three years (2017-2019).

RESULTS

The total number of PCIs procedures was significantly decreased during the initial COVID-19 outbreak in Portugal (-36%, p<0.001). The reduction in PCI procedures for STEMI, NSTE-ACS and CCS was, respectively, -25% (p<0.019), -20% (p<0.068) and -59% (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with the corresponding period in the previous three years, the number of PCI procedures performed for STEMI and CCS decreased markedly during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Hospitalization and Interventional Procedures for Cardiovascular Diseases during the First Wave in Italy

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been responsible for an epidemic of devastating proportion, and it has represented a challenge for worldwide healthcare systems with the need of resources reallocation in order to face epidemic spread. Italy was one of the hardest hit countries by COVID-19, and the Italian government adopted strict rules to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as national lockdown and home quarantine; moreover, the Italian healthcare system had to rapidly re-organize the diagnostic and therapeutic pathways, with a reallocation of health resources and hospital beds, in order to manage COVID-19 patients. The aim of the present review is to provide an overview of the effects of the first pandemic wave on cardiovascular assistance in Italy with the purpose of evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the Italian health system.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients with ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated during the COVID-19 pandemic might experience prolonged time to reperfusion. The delayed reperfusion may potentially aggravate the risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in those patients. Limited access to healthcare, more reluctant health-seeking behaviors, and bystander readiness to render life-saving interventions might additionally contribute to the suggested change in the risk of OHCA in STEMI. Thus, we sought to explore the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on treatment delay and clinical outcomes of patients with STEMI with OHCA. Overall, 5,501 consecutive patients with STEMI complicated by OHCA and treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation were enrolled. A propensity score matching was used to obviate the possible impact of non-randomized design. A total of 740 matched pairs of patients with STEMI and OHCA treated before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were compared. A similar mortality and prevalence of periprocedural complications were observed in both groups. However, patients treated during the COVID-19 outbreak experienced longer delays from first medical contact to angiography (88.8 (±61.5) vs. 101.4 (±109.8) [minutes]; p = 0.006). There was also a trend toward prolonged time from pain onset to angiography in patients admitted to the hospital in the pandemic era (207.3 (±192.8) vs. 227.9 (±231.4) [minutes]; p = 0.06). In conclusion, the periprocedural outcomes in STEMI complicated by OHCA were comparable before and during the COVID-19 era. However, treatment in the COVID-19 outbreak was associated with a longer time from first medical contact to reperfusion.

The Peripandemic Impact of the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Management and Prognosis of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in China

BACKGROUND

Rapid reperfusion of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been challenging during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Whether and to what degree there will be a residual impact when the COVID-19 pandemic has passed is unclear.

METHODS

This nationwide retrospective study was based on electronic records of STEMI patients registered in the Chinese Cardiovascular Association Database.

RESULTS

We analyzed 141,375 STEMI patients (including 4871 patients in Hubei province, where 80% of COVID-19 cases in China occurred in 2019-2020) during the pre-outbreak (23 October 2019-22 January 2020), outbreak (23 January 2020-22 April 2020), and post-outbreak (23 April 2020-22 July 2020) periods. In the post-outbreak period in Hubei province, the increased in-hospital mortality dropped to become insignificant (adjusted odds ratio compared to the pre-outbreak level (aOR) 1.40, [95% confidential interval (CI): 0.97-2.03]) and was lower than that in the outbreak period (1.62 [1.09-2.41]). The decreased odds of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (0.73 [0.55-0.96]) and timely reperfusion (0.74 [0.62-0.88]) persisted, although they were substantially improved compared to the outbreak period (aOR of primary PCI: 0.23 [0.18-0.30] and timely reperfusion: 0.43 [0.35-0.53]). The residual impact of COVID-19 on STEMI in the post-outbreak period in non-Hubei provinces was insignificant.

CONCLUSIONS

Residual pandemic impacts on STEMI management persisted after the first wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in Hubei province, the earliest and hardest hit area in China.

[Open data for monitoring COVID-19 in Spain: descriptive study]

BACKGROUND

The indicators of the pandemic have been based on the total number of diagnosed cases of COVID-19, the number of people hospitalized or in intensive care units, and deaths from the infection. The aim of this study is to describe the available data on diagnostic tests, health service used for the diagnosis of COVID-19, case detection and monitoring.

METHOD

Descriptive study with review of official data available on the websites of the Spanish health councils corresponding to 17 Autonomous Communities, 2 Autonomous cities and the Ministry of Health. The variables collected refer to contact tracing, technics for diagnosis, use of health services and follow-up.

RESULTS

all regions of Spain show data on diagnosed cases of COVID-19 and deaths. Hospitalized cases and intensive care admissions are shown in all regions except the Balearic Islands. Diagnostic tests for COVID-19 have been registered in all regions except Madrid region and Extremadura, with scarcely information on what type of test has been performed (present in 7 CCAA), requesting service and study of contacts.

CONCLUSIONS

The information available on the official websites of the Health Departments of the different regions of Spain are heterogeneous. Data from the use of health service or workload in Primary Care, Emergency department or Out of hours services are almost non-existent.

Short-term mortality differs between men and women according to the presence of previous cardiovascular disease: Insights from a nationwide STEMI cohort

BACKGROUND

Sex and prior cardiovascular disease (CVD) are known independent prognostic factors following an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to examine whether the association between sex and 30-day mortality differ according to the presence of previous CVD in STEMI patients.

METHODS

Prospective, observational, multicentre registry of consecutive patients managed in 17 STEMI networks in Spain (83 centres), between April and June 2019. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models assessed the association of 30-day mortality with sex and prior CVD status, as well as their interaction.

RESULTS

Among 4366 patients (mean age 63.7 ± 13.0 years; 78% male), there were 337 (8.1%) deaths within the first 30 days. There was an association between crude 30-day mortality and sex (women 10.4% vs. men 7.4%, p = 0.003), and prior CVD (CVD 13.7% vs non-CVD 6.8%, p < 0.001). After adjustment for potential confounding, neither sex nor prior CVD were apparently associated with mortality. Nevertheless, we found a significant sex-CVD interaction (p-interaction = 0.006), since women were at lower risk than men in the subset of patients with prior CVD (OR = 0.30, 95%CI = 0.12-0.80) but not in those without CVD (OR = 1.17, 95%CI = 0.79-1.74).

CONCLUSIONS

Women as well as patients with prior CVD have an increased crude risk of 30-day mortality. However, sex-related differences in short term mortality are modulated by the interaction with CVD in STEMI patients. Compared to men, women had a similar prognosis in the subset of patients without CVD, whereas they were associated with a lower risk of mortality among those with prior CVD after adjusting for other prognostic factors.

Analysis of the management of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in Spain. Results from the ACI-SEC Infarction Code Registry

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) networks should guarantee STEMI care with good clinical results and within the recommended time parameters. There is no contemporary information on the performance of these networks in Spain. The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients, times to reperfusion, characteristics of the intervention performed, and 30-day mortality.

METHODS

Prospective, observational, multicenter registry of consecutive patients treated in 17 STEMI networks in Spain (83 centers with the Infarction Code), between April 1 and June 30, 2019.

RESULTS

A total of 5401 patients were attended (mean age, 64±13 years; 76.9% male), of which 4366 (80.8%) had confirmed STEMI. Of these, 87.5% were treated with primary angioplasty, 4.4% with fibrinolysis, and 8.1% did not receive reperfusion. In patients treated with primary angioplasty, the time between symptom onset and reperfusion was 193 [135-315] minutes and the time between first medical contact and reperfusion was 107 [80-146] minutes. Overall 30-day mortality due to STEMI was 7.9%, while mortality in patients treated with primary angioplasty was 6.8%.

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients with STEMI were treated with primary angioplasty. In more than half of the patients, the time from first medical contact to reperfusion was <120 minutes. Mortality at 30 days was relatively low.

Role of telemedicine in the management of oral anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation: a practical clinical approach

Compared with face-to-face consultations, telemedicine has many advantages, including more efficient use of healthcare resources, partial relief of the burden of care, reduced exposure to COVID-19, treatment adjustment, organization of more efficient healthcare circuits and patient empowerment. Ensuring optimal anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation patients is mandatory if we want to reduce the thromboembolic risk. Of note, telemedicine is an excellent option for the long-term management of atrial fibrillation patients. Moreover, direct oral anticoagulants may provide an added value in telemedicine (versus vitamin K antagonists), as it is not necessary to monitor anticoagulant effect or make continuous dosage adjustments. In this multidisciplinary consensus document, the role of telemedicine in anticoagulation of this population is discussed and practical recommendations are provided.

[What have we missed because of COVID-19? Missed diagnoses and delayed follow-ups. SESPAS Report 2022]

La pandemia de COVID-19 y la emergencia de salud pública asociada han afectado a los/las pacientes y a los servicios de salud en lo que respecta a las patologías no relacionadas con la COVID-19. Diversos estudios han evidenciado su desvinculación con los servicios sanitarios, con disminución de las consultas a los servicios de urgencias, de los ingresos hospitalarios de patologías no COVID-19, así como de la incidencia semanal notificada de enfermedades agudas y nuevos diagnósticos en atención primaria. Paralelamente, la pandemia ha tenido efectos directos e indirectos en las personas con enfermedades crónicas; las dificultades de acceso a los servicios sanitarios, la interrupción de la atención, la saturación del propio sistema y su reorientación hacia formatos no presenciales ha reducido la capacidad de prevenir o controlar las enfermedades crónicas, impactando además en los diferentes ámbitos de la vida de las personas, creando nuevas dificultades sociales y económicas, o agravando las preexistentes antes de la pandemia. Todas estas circunstancias se han ido modificando con cada una de las olas epidémicas. Se presenta una revisión de los estudios más relevantes que han ido analizando este problema y se incorporan como estudio de caso los resultados de un estudio observacional retrospectivo realizado en atención primaria en Madrid, que da cobertura sanitaria a una población de más de 6 millones de personas, y cuyo objetivo ha sido analizar la pérdida de nuevos diagnósticos en las patologías más prevalentes, como los problemas comunes de salud mental, enfermedades cardiovasculares y cerebrovasculares, diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica y tumores de mama y de colon, en la primera y la segunda olas. Se calcularon las tasas de incidencia anual con su intervalo de confianza para cada patología y se comparó la frecuencia mensual de los nuevos códigos registrados entre el 1 de enero y el 31 de diciembre de 2020 con la media mensual de los recuentos observados para los mismos meses en 2016-2019. La tasa de incidencia anual para todos los procesos estudiados disminuyó en 2020, excepto para los trastornos de ansiedad. En relación con la recuperación de los diagnósticos perdidos, la insuficiencia cardiaca es el único diagnóstico que presenta una recuperación por encima de la media después de la primera ola. Para volver a los niveles prepandémicos de diagnóstico y seguimiento de la patología no COVID-19, el sistema sanitario debe reorganizarse y contemplar acciones específicas para los grupos de mayor riesgo.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Use and Outcomes of Cardiac Procedures in COPD Patients

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use and outcomes of cardiac procedures among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Spain. (2) Methods: We used national hospital discharge data to select patients admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of COPD from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020. (3) Results: The number of COPD patients hospitalized in 2019 who underwent a cardiac procedure was 4483, 16.2% higher than in 2020 (n = 3757). The length of hospital stay was significantly lower in 2020 than in 2019 (9.37 vs. 10.13 days; p = 0.004), and crude in-hospital mortality (IHM) was significantly higher (5.32% vs. 4.33%; p = 0.035). Multivariable logistic regression models to assess the differences in IHM from 2019 to 2020 showed Odds Ratio (OR) values over 1, suggesting a higher risk of dying in 2020 compared to in 2019. However, the ORs were only statistically significant for "any cardiac procedure" (1.18, 95% CI 1.03-1.47). The Charlson comorbidity index increased IHM for each of the procedures analyzed. The probability of IHM was higher for women and older patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft or open valve replacement procedures. Suffering a COVID-19 infection was associated with significantly higher mortality after cardiac procedures. (4) Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic limited the access to healthcare for patients with COPD.

Non-COVID outcomes associated with the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic effects study (COPES): A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

As the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues, healthcare providers struggle to manage both COVID-19 and non-COVID patients while still providing high-quality care. We conducted a systematic review/meta-analysis to describe the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with non-COVID illness and on healthcare systems compared to non-pandemic epochs.

METHODS

We searched Ovid MEDLINE/EMBASE/Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews/CENTRAL/CINAHL (inception to December 31, 2020). All study types with COVID-pandemic time period (after December 31, 2019) with comparative non-pandemic time periods (prior to December 31, 2019). Data regarding study characteristics/case-mix/interventions/comparators/ outcomes (primary: mortality; secondary: morbidity/hospitalizations/disruptions-to-care. Paired reviewers conducted screening and abstraction, with conflicts resolved by discussion. Effect sizes for specific therapies were pooled using random-effects models. Risk of bias was assessed by Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, with evidence rating using GRADE methodology.

RESULTS

Of 11,581 citations, 167 studies met eligibility. Our meta-analysis showed an increased mortality of 16% during the COVID pandemic for non-COVID illness compared with 11% mortality during the pre-pandemic period (RR 1.38, 95% CI: 1.28-1.50; absolute risk difference: 5% [95% CI: 4-6%], p<0.00001, very low certainty evidence). Twenty-eight studies (17%) reported significant changes in morbidity (where 93% reported increases), while 30 studies (18%) reported no significant change (very low certainty). Thirty-nine studies (23%) reported significant changes in hospitalizations (97% reporting decreases), while 111 studies (66%) reported no significant change (very low certainty). Sixty-two studies (37%) reported significant disruptions in standards-to-care (73% reporting increases), while 62 studies (37%) reported no significant change (very low certainty).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a significant increase in mortality during the COVID pandemic compared to pre-pandemic times for non-COVID illnesses. When significant changes were reported, there was increased morbidity, decreased hospitalizations and increased disruptions in standards-of-care.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42020201256 (Sept 2, 2020).

Cardiac arrest and coronavirus disease 2019

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the cardiovascular system has been highlighted since the very first weeks after the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 identification. We reviewed the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on cardiac arrest, both considering those occurred out of the hospital (OHCA) and in the hospital (IHCA).

RECENT FINDINGS

An increase in OHCA incidence occurred in different countries, especially in those regions most burdened by the COVID-19, as this seems to be bounded to the pandemic trend. A change of OHCA patients' characteristics, with an increase of the OHCA occurred at home, a decrease in bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator use before Emergency Medical Service (EMS) arrival and an increase in non-shockable rhythms, have been highlighted. A dramatic drop in the OHCA patients' survival was pointed out in almost all the countries, regardless of the high or low-incidence of COVID-19 cases. Concerning IHCA, a reduction in survival was highlighted in patients with COVID-19 who sustained a cardiac arrest.

SUMMARY

Cardiac arrest occurrence and survival were deeply affected by the pandemic. Informative campaigns to the population to call EMS in case of need and the re-allocation of the prehospital resources basing on the pandemic trend are needed to improve survival.

[Optimizing blood pressure control through telemedicine in Primary Care in Spain (Iniciativa Óptima): Results from a Delphi study]

Objetivo

Representantes de los grupos de trabajo de hipertensión o enfermedad cardiovascular de las Sociedades Españolas de Médicos de Atención Primaria (MAP) [SEMERGEN], de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria [semFYC] y de Médicos Generales y de Familia [SEMG] realizaron un estudio Delphi para validar con un panel de MAP expertos en hipertensión una propuesta de recomendaciones para optimizar la teleconsulta en pacientes hipertensos.

Materiales y métodos

Estudio Delphi basado en un cuestionario online con 59 recomendaciones, elaborado en base a la bibliografía relacionada disponible y a la experiencia clínica aportada por los autores.

Resultados

Un total de 118 MAP participaron en dos rondas del cuestionario (98,3% de los invitados), alcanzándose el consenso en 53/62 sentencias (85%). El equipo de Atención Primaria debe seleccionar a los pacientes hipertensos candidatos a realizar la consulta telemática proactivamente, informando de la cita con antelación. Al iniciar la consulta telemática, se recomienda explicar el motivo y los objetivos de la misma, y realizar la anamnesis preguntando por signos y síntomas de empeoramiento de la enfermedad, tratamientos actuales y adherencia a los mismos. En pacientes con una automedida de la presión arterial (AMPA) ≤ 135/85 mmHg se recomienda pautar una nueva cita telemática en 3-6 meses. Por el contrario, en pacientes asintomáticos que reporten una AMPA ≥ 135/85 mmHg se recomienda la monitorización ambulatoria de la presión arterial, modificar el tratamiento, o derivar al paciente a visita presencial o al hospital en caso de signos o síntomas de alarma.

Conclusiones

La teleconsulta puede complementar la consulta presencial, constituyendo un elemento más a tener en cuenta para el adecuado control de los pacientes hipertensos.

Impact of coronavirus disease 2019 epidemics on prevention and care for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemics on the prevention and care for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections at a major reference centre providing preventive and clinical services in Catalonia, Spain.

DESIGN

We retrospectively compared anonymized clinical and laboratory data from March to December 2020 vs. 2019.

METHODS

Monthly clinical data on HIV preexposure and postexposure prophylaxis users and on adults with HIV infection were retrieved from the administrative hospital database. Monthly tests for HIV, hepatitis B and C, Treponema pallidum, Neisseria gonorrhoeae,and Chlamydia trachomatis, and plasma lipids and glucose were recovered from the laboratory database.

RESULTS

There were less (↓28%, P  = 0.003) but more advanced (mean CD4+ cells/μl 305 vs. 370, P  < 0.001) HIV infections and more gonorrhoea (↑39%, P  < 0.001) and chlamydia (↑37%, P  < 0.001) infections in 2020 vs. 2019. In people with HIV, rates of HIV RNA less than 50 copies/ml remained stable (11 vs. 11%, P  = 0.147) despite less scheduled visits (↓25%, P  < 0.001). However, they had less antiretroviral prescription changes (↓10%, P  = 0.018), worse plasma lipids [mean total cholesterol 190 vs. 185 mg/dl, P  < 0.001;mean low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol 114 vs. 110 mg/dl, P  < 0.001; mean triglycerides 136 vs. 125 mg/dl, P  < 0.001; mean high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol 47 vs. 48 mg/dl, P  = 006], and an excess of mortality (↑264%, P  = 0.006) due in great part not only to COVID-19 but also to other causes.

CONCLUSION

In our setting, COVID-19 epidemics was associated with an increase in some prevalent sexually transmitted infections, with less but more advanced HIV infections, and with worse nonvirologic healthcare outcomes and higher mortality in people living with HIV.

Dynamics of Emergency Cardiovascular Hospital Admissions and In-Hospital Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Time Series Analysis and Impact of Socioeconomic Factors

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate the decline in urgent cardiovascular hospital admissions and in-hospital mortality during the COVID pandemic in two successive waves, and to evaluate differences by sex, age, and deprivation index subgroups.

Methods and Results

We obtained acute cardiovascular hospital episodes during the years 2019–2020 from region-wide data on public healthcare usage for the population of Catalonia (North-East Spain). We fitted time models to estimate the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and acute heart failure (HF) admissions during the first pandemic wave, the between-waves period, and the second wave compared with the corresponding pre-COVID-19 periods and to test for the interaction with sex, age, and area-based socioeconomic level. We evaluated the effect of COVID-19 period on in-hospital mortality. ACS (n = 8,636) and HF (n = 27,566) episodes were defined using primary diagnostic ICD-10 codes. ACS and HF admissions decreased during the first wave (IRR = 0.66, 95%CI: 0.58–0.76 and IRR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.55–0.68, respectively) and during the second wave (IRR = 0.80, 95%CI: 0.72–0.88 and IRR = 0.76, 95%CI: 0.69–0.84, respectively); acute HF admissions also decreased in the period between waves (IRR: 0.81, 95%CI: 0.74–0.89). The impact was similar in all sex and socioeconomic subgroups and was higher in older patients with ACS. In-hospital mortality was higher than expected only during the first wave.

Conclusion

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a marked decline in urgent cardiovascular hospital admissions that were attenuated during the second wave. Both the decline and the attenuation of the effect have been similar in all subgroups regardless of age, sex, or socioeconomic status. In-hospital mortality for ACS and HF episodes increased during the first wave, but not during the second wave.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak on Emergency Department Presentation and Prognosis of Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review and Updated Meta-Analysis

We performed an updated meta-analysis to robustly quantify admission trends of patients with ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) and non-ST-segment elevation MI (NSTEMI) during the first wave of the pandemic and to characterize on a large basis the risk profile and early prognosis. Studies having the same observation period for the comparison between SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in 2020 versus control period in 2019 were included. Primary endpoints were the relative variation of hospital admissions, the difference of in-hospital mortality for STEMI and NSTEMI. Secondary were: mortality according to countries, income levels and data quality; cardiogenic shock, mechanical complications, door-to-balloon time, time from symptom onset to first medical contact, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and troponin. In total, 61 observational studies with 125,346 patients were included. Compared with 2019, during the pandemic for STEMI were observed: a 24% reduction of hospitalizations with an impact on early survival (OR = 1.33 in-hospital mortality); the time from symptom onset to first medical contact was 91.31 min longer, whereas door-to-balloon time was increased (+5.44 min); after STEMI, the rate of cardiogenic shock was 33% higher; LVEF at discharge was decreased (−3.46); elevated high-sensitivity troponin levels (1.52) on admission. For NSTEMI, in the COVID-19 period, we observed a 31% reduction of hospitalizations and higher in-hospital deaths (OR = 1.34). The highest mortality rates among countries were: Italy OR = 3.71 (high income), Serbia OR = 2.15 (upper middle) and Pakistan OR = 1.69 (lower middle). Later hospital presentation was associated with larger infarctions, as well as with increased cardiogenic shock and in-hospital mortality.

Incidence, Clinical Characteristics, Risk Factors and Outcomes of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Patients With COVID-19: Results of the UMC-19-S1010

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of knowledge about the real incidence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients with COVID-19, their clinical characteristics, and their prognoses.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the incidence, clinical characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of ACS in patients with COVID-19 in the emergency department.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all COVID-19 patients diagnosed with ACS in 62 Spanish emergency departments between March and April 2020 (the first wave of COVID-19). We formed 2 control groups: COVID-19 patients without ACS (control A) and non-COVID-19 patients with ACS (control B). Unadjusted comparisons between cases and control subjects were performed regarding 58 characteristics and outcomes.

RESULTS

We identified 110 patients with ACS in 74,814 patients with COVID-19 attending the ED (1.48% [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.21-1.78%]). This incidence was lower than that observed in non-COVID-19 patients (3.64% [95% CI 3.54-3.74%]; odds ratio [OR] 0.40 [95% CI 0.33-0.49]). The clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 associated with a higher risk of presenting ACS were: previous coronary artery disease, age ≥60 years, hypertension, chest pain, raised troponin, and hypoxemia. The need for hospitalization and admission to intensive care and in-hospital mortality were higher in cases than in control group A (adjusted OR [aOR] 6.36 [95% CI 1.84-22.1], aOR 4.63 [95% CI 1.88-11.4], and aOR 2.46 [95% CI 1.15-5.25]). When comparing cases with control group B, the aOR of admission to intensive care was 0.41 (95% CI 0.21-0.80), while the aOR for in-hospital mortality was 5.94 (95% CI 2.84-12.4).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of ACS in patients with COVID-19 attending the emergency department was low, around 1.48%, but could be increased in some circumstances. Patients with COVID-19 with ACS had a worse prognosis than control subjects with higher in-hospital mortality.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Hospital Services for Patients with Cardiac Diseases: A Scoping Review

This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital cardiac care, as assessed by performance indicators. Scoping review methodology: performance indicators were extracted to inform on changes in care during January–June 2020. Database searches yielded 6277 articles, of which 838 met the inclusion criteria. After full-text screening, 94 articles were included and 1637 indicators were retrieved. Most of the indicators that provided information on changes in the number of admissions (n = 118, 88%) signaled a decrease in admissions; 88% (n = 15) of the indicators showed patients’ delayed presentation and 40% (n = 54) showed patients in a worse clinical condition. A reduction in diagnostic and treatment procedures was signaled by 95% (n = 18) and 81% (n = 64) of the indicators, respectively. Length of stay decreased in 58% (n = 21) of the indicators, acute coronary syndromes treatment times increased in 61% (n = 65) of the indicators, and outpatient activity decreased in 94% (n = 17) of the indicators related to outpatient care. Telehealth utilization increased in 100% (n = 6). Outcomes worsened in 40% (n = 35) of the indicators, and mortality rates increased in 52% (n = 31). All phases of the pathway were affected. This information could support the planning of care during the ongoing pandemic and in future events.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the frequency, clinical spectrum and outcomes of pediatric guillain-Barré syndrome in India: A multicentric ambispective cohort study

Objective:

To study impact of COVID-19 pandemic on frequency, clinical/electrophysiological profile and treatment outcomes in pediatric Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).

Background:

GBS is the most frequent cause of pediatric acute flaccid paralysis. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric GBS is unclear in the literature.

Methods:

We conducted an ambispective, multicentric, cohort study involving 12 of 27 centres in GBS Consortium, during two periods: pre-COVID-19 (March-August 2019) and during COVID-19 (March-August 2020). Children ≤12 years who satisfied National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke criteria for GBS/variants were enrolled. Details pertaining to clinical/laboratory parameters, treatment and outcomes (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at discharge, GBS Disability score at discharge and 3 months) were analysed.

Results:

We enrolled 33 children in 2019 and 10 in 2020. Children in 2020 were older (median 10.4 [interquartile range 6.75–11.25] years versus 5 (2.5–8.4) years; P = 0.022) and had more sensory symptoms (50% versus 18.2%; P = 0.043). The 2020 group had relatively favourable mRS at discharge (median 1 (1–3.5) versus 3 (2–4); P = 0.042) and GBS disability score at 3 months (median 0 (0–0.75) versus 2 (0–3); P = 0.009) compared to 2019. Multivariate analysis revealed bowel involvement (P = 0.000) and ventilatory support (P = 0.001) as independent predictors of disability. No child in 2020 had preceding/concurrent SARS-CoV2 infection.

Conclusions:

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a marked decline in pediatric GBS presenting to hospitals. Antecedent illnesses, clinical and electrophysiological profile of GBS remained largely unchanged from the pre-pandemic era.

Minnesota COVID-19 Lockdowns - The Effect on Acute Myocardial Infarctions and Revascularizations in the Community

Objective

To study associations between the Minnesota coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mitigation strategies on incidence rates of acute myocardial infarction (MI) or revascularization among residents of Southeast Minnesota.

Methods

Using the Rochester Epidemiology Project, all adult residents of a nine-county region of Southeast Minnesota who had an incident MI or revascularization between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020, were identified. Events were defined as primary in-patient diagnosis of MI or undergoing revascularization. We estimated age- and sex-standardized incidence rates and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) stratified by key factors, comparing 2020 to 2015–2019. We also calculated IRRs by periods corresponding to Minnesota’s COVID-19 mitigation timeline: “Pre-lockdown” (January 1–March 11, 2020), “First lockdown” (March 12–May 31, 2020), “Between lockdowns” (June 1–November 20, 2020), and “Second lockdown” (November 21–December 31, 2020).

Results

The incidence rate in 2020 was 32% lower than in 2015–2019 (24 vs 36 events/100,000 person-months; IRR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.62-0.74). Incidence rates were lower in 2020 versus 2015–2019 during the first lockdown (IRR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.44-0.66), in between lockdowns (IRR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.61-0.79), and during the second lockdown (IRR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.41-0.72). April had the lowest IRR (IRR 0.48; 95% CI, 0.34-0.68), followed by August (IRR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.40-0.76) and December (IRR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.41-0.77). Similar declines were observed across sex and all age groups, and in both urban and rural residents.

Conclusion

Mitigation measures for COVID-19 were associated with a reduction in hospitalizations for acute MI and revascularization in Southeast Minnesota. The reduction was most pronounced during the lockdown periods but persisted between lockdowns.

Spanish Cardiac Catheterization and Coronary Intervention Registry. 30th Official Report of the Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (1990-2020) in the year of the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction and objectives

The Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (ACI-SEC) presents its annual activity report for 2020, the year of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods

All Spanish centers with catheterization laboratories were invited to participate. Data were collected online and were analyzed by an external company, together with the members of the ACI-SEC.

Results

A total of 123 centers participated (4 more than 2019), of which 83 were public and 40 were private. Diagnostic coronary angiograms decreased by 9.4%, percutaneous coronary interventions by 10.1%, primary percutaneous coronary interventions by 4.1%, transcatheter aortic valve replacements by 0.9%, and left atrial appendage closure by 8.3%. The only procedures that increased with respect to previous years were edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (13.8%) and patent foramen ovale closure (19.4%). The use of pressure wire (5.5%), intravascular imaging devices and plaque preparation devices decreased (with the exception of lithotripsy, which increased by 62%).

Conclusions

In the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the registry showed a marked drop in activity in all procedures except for percutaneous mitral valve repair and patent foramen ovale closure. This decrease was less marked than previously described, suggesting a rebound in interventional activity after the first wave.

Gout during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: increased flares, urate levels and functional improvement

Introduction

Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis, but was not considered in most COVID-19 and rheumatic diseases reports. Our aim was to describe changes in clinical data, treatment, function and quality of life for gout patients during COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Prospective, descriptive and analytical study of 101 consecutive gout (ACR/EULAR 2015) patients from our clinic evaluated during pandemic by phone call (n=52) or phone call + face-to-face (n=68) that accepted to participate. Variables are demographics, clinical and treatment data, HAQ, EQ5D questionnaires and COVID-19-related data. Patients were divided in two groups: flare (n=36) or intercritical gout (n=65) also; available pre-pandemic data was obtained from 71 patients. Statistical analyses are X², paired t-test and Wilcoxon test.

Results

Included gout patients were males (95.8%), mean (SD) age 54.7 (10.7) years and disease duration 16.4 (9.8) years; 90% received allopurinol, 50% colchicine as prophylaxis and 25% suspended ≥ 1 medication. Comparison of pre-pandemic vs pandemic data showed > flares (4.4% vs 36%, p=0.01), more flares in the last 6 months: 0.31 (0.75) vs 1.71 (3.1), (p=0.004 and > urate levels: 5.6 (1.7)vs 6.7 (2.2) mg/dL, p=0.016. Unexpectedly, function and quality-of-life scores improved: HAQ score 0.65 (2.16) vs 0.12 (0.17), p= 0.001. Seven patients were COVID-19-confirmed cases; they had significantly more flares, higher urate levels and lower allopurinol doses and two died.

Conclusions

In gout patients, flares were 9 times more frequent during pandemic also, they had increased urate levels but led to an unexpected improvement in HAQ and functionality scores. Resilience and lifestyle changes in gout during COVID-19 pandemic require further studies.

Key Points • COVID-19 pandemic is associated with 4 times more flares in gout patients. • Increased flares were also seen in previously well-controlled gout patients. • Increased serum urate levels were also found in gout patients during pandemic. • In our gout clinic, 8/101 patients were diagnosed as COVID-19+, and two of them died.

Investigating the implications of COVID-19 outbreak on systems of care and outcomes of STEMI patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

There has been a concern whether the decrease in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) cases during the COVID-19 pandemic era is related to unsatisfactory performance of STEMI systems of care as well as worsening of the clinical outcomes in STEMI patients. Thus, our meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate this matter.

Methods

We compared the predetermined variables in this meta-analysis during the early and late pandemic. Using a combination of adapted search terms to fit the requirements of several search engines (PubMed, EuropePMC, SCOPUS, ProQuest, and EBSCOhost), we reviewed all observational studies citing our outcomes of interest before and during the outbreak.

Results

Thirty-five records comprising a total of 62,247 participants were identified. Overall, our meta-analysis showed that there was a huge reduction of nearly 80% for STEMI admission during the outbreak (n = 10,263) in contrast to before the outbreak period (n = 51,984). STEMI patients who were admitted during the outbreak received less primary PCI and had longer symptom-to-FMC (first medical contact) time along with prolonged door-to-balloon (DTB) time. A decrease in the achievement of final TIMI (thrombolysis in myocardial infarction) 3 flow after primary PCI was also observed in this study. However, the number of in-hospital mortality was similar between two groups.

Conclusion

There was a decrease in the STEMI care performance and worsening of clinical outcomes in STEMI patients, especially in the early pandemic period. Overall, concise health services must be implemented following a responsibility to obey health protocols to deliver high-quality services related to STEMI systems of care amidst the global pandemic.