Key result
The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a significant increase in in-hospital mortality after STEMI during the peaks of the first and second waves, reaching a relative risk of 1.16 in December 2020.
Why the study?
The COVID-19 pandemic led to extensive restrictions in Germany, but its impact on STEMI as an acute, non-postponable disease remained to be examined.
Does the COVID-19 pandemic affect the number of STEMI interventions and in-hospital mortality in patients presenting with STEMI?
Observational (n=248,062)
Yes
Does the COVID-19 pandemic affect the number of STEMI interventions and in-hospital mortality in patients presenting with STEMI?
Relative Risk: 1.16 (95% CI 1.06–1.27)
The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a significant reduction in STEMI hospitalizations and a concurrent increase in in-hospital mortality among those admitted, highlighting the collateral damage of the pandemic on acute cardiovascular care.
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May indicate care-seeking changes during restrictions; leaves open whether true STEMI incidence declined.
Oettinger et al. (2022) conducted an observational in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (n=248,062). COVID-19 pandemic waves vs. Pre-pandemic period (2017-2019) was evaluated on Monthly in-hospital mortality after STEMI (December 2020 peak) (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.06; 1.27). The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a significant increase in in-hospital mortality after STEMI during the peaks of the first and second waves, reaching a relative risk of 1.16 in December 2020.
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