Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on volume of thoracic aortic surgery on a national level. (5th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Beaufort, Hector W L; Roefs, Maaike M; Daeter, Edgar J; Heijmen, Robin H
• Is Part Of: European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery. Volume 61:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: 854
• Page End: 859
• Publication Date: 2022-01-05
• Subjects: Thoracic aorta -- COVID-19 -- Aortic surgery -- The Netherlands -- Surgical volume; Heart -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Chest -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.54
• DOI: 10.1093/ejcts/ezab550
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1010-7940

Abstract

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic on elective and acute thoracic aortic surgery in the Netherlands. METHODS: The Netherlands Heart Registration database was used to compare the volume of elective and acute surgery on the thoracic aorta in 2019 and 2020, starting from week 11 in both years. A sub-analysis was done to assess the impact of the pandemic on high-volume and low-volume aortic centres. RESULTS: During the pandemic, the number of elective thoracic aortic operations declined by 18% [incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.82 [0.73–0.91]; P < 0.01]. The decline in volume of elective surgery was significant in both high-volume (IRR 0.82 [0.71–0.94]; P < 0.01) and low-volume aortic centres (IRR 0.81 [0.68–0.98]; P = 0.03). The overall number of acute aortic operations during the pandemic remained similar to that in 2019 (505 vs 499; P = 0.85), but an increased share of these operations occurred at high-volume centres. The number of acute operations performed in high-volume centres increased by 20% (IRR 1.20 [1.01–1.42]; P = 0.04), while the number of acute operations performed in low-volume centres decreased by 17% (IRR 0.83 [0.69–1.00]; P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The coronavirus 2019 pandemic led to a significant decrease in elective thoracic aortic surgery but did not cause a change in the volume of acute thoracic aortic surgery in the Netherlands. Moreover, the pandemic led to a centralization of care for acute thoracic aortic surgery. Abstract : The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the delivery of health care around the world.