Why the study?
Despite effective public health measures and low SARS-CoV-2 cases in Taiwan in 2020, ED utilization patterns changed, prompting investigation into pandemic-related medical avoidance and collateral adverse outcomes among patients with acute ischemic heart events.
Does medical avoidance during the COVID-19 pandemic increase the risk of complications among patients with acute ischemic heart events?
Population
Adult ED visits focusing on symptoms of acute ischemic heart events and complications at a tertiary hospital
Comparison
ED visits during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic vs pre-pandemic periods (January 2017 to December 2020)
Design
Retrospective observational cross-sectional study
Authors
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Patients should seek prompt ED care for acute ischemic events despite infection risks; cross-sectional data leave open optimal strategies to mitigate avoidance in future outbreaks.
Does medical avoidance during the COVID-19 pandemic increase the risk of complications among patients with acute ischemic heart events?
Medical avoidance during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decrease in ED visits but a paradoxical increase in acute ischemic heart-related complications, highlighting the collateral damage of delayed care.
Sung et al. (2025) studied this question.
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