Original article
Impact of COVID-19 on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction care. The Spanish experienceImpacto de la COVID-19 en el tratamiento del infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST. La experiencia española

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rec.2020.08.002Get rights and content

Abstract

Introduction and objectives

The COVID-19 outbreak has had an unclear impact on the treatment and outcomes of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of this study was to assess changes in STEMI management during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Methods

Using a multicenter, nationwide, retrospective, observational registry of consecutive patients who were managed in 75 specific STEMI care centers in Spain, we compared patient and procedural characteristics and in-hospital outcomes in 2 different cohorts with 30-day follow-up according to whether the patients had been treated before or after COVID-19.

Results

Suspected STEMI patients treated in STEMI networks decreased by 27.6% and patients with confirmed STEMI fell from 1305 to 1009 (22.7%). There were no differences in reperfusion strategy (> 94% treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention in both cohorts). Patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention during the COVID-19 outbreak had a longer ischemic time (233 [150-375] vs 200 [140-332] minutes, P < .001) but showed no differences in the time from first medical contact to reperfusion. In-hospital mortality was higher during COVID-19 (7.5% vs 5.1%; unadjusted OR, 1.50; 95%CI, 1.07-2.11; P < .001); this association remained after adjustment for confounders (risk-adjusted OR, 1.88; 95%CI, 1.12-3.14; P = .017). In the 2020 cohort, there was a 6.3% incidence of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during hospitalization.

Conclusions

The number of STEMI patients treated during the current COVID-19 outbreak fell vs the previous year and there was an increase in the median time from symptom onset to reperfusion and a significant 2-fold increase in the rate of in-hospital mortality. No changes in reperfusion strategy were detected, with primary percutaneous coronary intervention performed for the vast majority of patients. The co-existence of STEMI and SARS-CoV-2 infection was relatively infrequent.

Resumen

Introducción y objetivos

El impacto del brote de COVID-19 en el tratamiento del infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST (IAMCEST) no está claro. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar los cambios en el tratamiento del IAMCEST durante el brote de COVID-19.

Métodos

Se utilizó un registro multicéntrico, nacional, retrospectivo y observacional de pacientes consecutivos atendidos en 75 centros, se compararon las características de los pacientes y de los procedimientos y los resultados hospitalarios en 2 cohortes según se los hubiera tratado antes o durante la COVID-19.

Resultados

Los casos con sospecha de IAMCEST disminuyeron el 27,6% y los pacientes con IAMCEST confirmado se redujeron de 1.305 a 1.009 (22,7%). No hubo diferencias en la estrategia de reperfusión (más del 94% tratados con angioplastia primaria). El tiempo de isquemia fue más largo durante la COVID-19 (233 [150-375] frente a 200 [140-332] min; p < 0,001), sin diferencias en el tiempo primer contacto médico-reperfusión. La mortalidad hospitalaria fue mayor durante la COVID-19 (el 7,5 frente al 5,1%; OR bruta = 1,50; IC95%, 1,07-2,11; p < 0,001); esta asociación se mantuvo tras ajustar por factores de confusión (OR ajustada = 1,88; IC95%, 1,12-3,14; p = 0,017). La incidencia de infección confirmada por SARS-CoV-2 fue del 6,3%.

Conclusiones

El brote de COVID-19 ha implicado una disminución en el número de pacientes con IAMCEST, un aumento del tiempo entre el inicio de los síntomas y la reperfusión y un aumento en la mortalidad hospitalaria. No se han detectado cambios en la estrategia de reperfusión. La combinación de infección por SARS-CoV-2 e IAMCEST fue relativamente infrecuente.

Keywords

STEMI
COVID-19
Primary angioplasty
STEMI network

Palabras clave

IAMCEST
COVID-19
Angioplastia primaria
Red de atención al infarto

Abbreviations

COVID-19
coronavirus disease 2019
PCI
percutaneous coronary intervention
PCR
polymerase chain reaction
pPCI
primary percutaneous coronary intervention
STEMI
ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction

Cited by (0)

The investigators, institutions, and organizations participating in the Working Group on the Infarct Code of the Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology are listed in the Appendix.

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