Characteristics and hospital course of patients admitted for acute cardiovascular diseases during the coronavirus disease-19 outbreak. Issue 1 (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zorzi, Alessandro; Vio, Riccardo; Rivezzi, Francesco; Falzone, Pasquale V.; Giordani, Andrea S.; Condello, Chiara; Dellino, Carlo M.; Deola, Petra; Gallucci, Marco; Giannattasio, Alessia; Licchelli, Luca; Lupasco, Diana; Montonati, Carolina; Ravagnin, Alberto; Sinigiani, Giulio; Torreggiani, Gianpaolo; Vianello, Riccardo; Migliore, Federico; Famoso, Giulia; Babuin, Luciano; Cacciavillani, Luisa; Iliceto, Sabino
• Is Part Of: Journal of cardiovascular medicine. Volume 22:Issue 1(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: acute cardiovascular care -- arrhythmias -- cardiology -- coronavirus disease-19 -- heart failure -- myocardial infarction -- outcome; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Cardiovascular Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.1005
• DOI: 10.2459/JCM.0000000000001129
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1558-2027

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: During the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) outbreak in spring 2020, people may have been reluctant to seek medical care fearing infection. We aimed to assess the number, characteristics and in-hospital course of patients admitted for acute cardiovascular diseases during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: We enrolled all consecutive patients admitted urgently for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure or arrhythmias from 1 March to 31 May 2020 (outbreak period) and 2019 (control period). We evaluated the time from symptoms onset to presentation, clinical conditions at admission, length of hospitalization, in-hospital medical procedures and outcome. The combined primary end point included in-hospital death for cardiovascular causes, urgent heart transplant or discharge with a ventricular assist device. Results: A similar number of admissions were observed in 2020 ( N = 210) compared with 2019 ( N = 207). Baseline characteristics of patients were also similar. In 2020, a significantly higher number of patients presented more than 6 h after symptoms onset (57 versus 38%, P < 0.001) and with signs of heart failure (33 versus 20%, P = 0.018), required urgent surgery (13 versus 5%, P = 0.004) and ventilatory support (26 versus 13%, P < 0.001). Hospitalization duration was longer in 2020 (median 10 versus 8 days, P = 0.03). The primary end point was met by 19 (9.0%) patients in 2020 versus 10 (4.8%) in 2019 ( P = 0.09). Conclusion: Despite the similar number and types of unplanned admissions for acute cardiac conditions during the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak compared with the same period in 2019, we observed a higher number of patients presenting late after symptoms onset as well as longer and more complicated clinical courses.