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

Rev Esp Cardiol (Engl Ed). 2020 Dec;73(12):994-1002. doi: 10.1016/j.rec.2020.08.002. Epub 2020 Sep 8.
[Article in English, Spanish]

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.

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: Angioplastia primaria; COVID-19; IAMCEST; Primary angioplasty; Red de atención al infarto; STEMI; STEMI network.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • Comorbidity
  • Disease Management*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hospital Mortality / trends
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics*
  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / methods*
  • Registries*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction / epidemiology
  • ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction / surgery*
  • Spain / epidemiology