Key result
The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period was associated with a 10.5% decline in STEMI admissions and a 12.7% decline in STEMI-related PCI procedures compared to the equivalent pre-pandemic period.
Why the study?
The study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction care in China.
Does the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown impact STEMI admissions, procedural delays, and in-hospital outcomes in patients presenting with STEMI?
Observational (n=610)
Yes
Does the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown impact STEMI admissions, procedural delays, and in-hospital outcomes in patients presenting with STEMI?
Absolute Event Rate: 286% vs 324%
Despite a decline in STEMI admissions and PCI procedures during the COVID-19 lockdown in Hunan, China, key quality indicators and in-hospital clinical outcomes for admitted patients were not significantly adversely affected.
Fewer STEMI admissions during COVID-19 did not worsen care delays or in-hospital outcomes; supports network resilience but leaves open questions on broader applicability.
Background: This study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) care in China. Methods: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective cohort study in Hunan province (adjacent to the epidemic center), China. Consecutive patients presenting with STEMI within 12 h of symptom onset and receiving primary percutaneous coronary intervention, pharmaco-invasive strategy and only thrombolytic treatment, were enrolled from January 23, 2020 to April 8, 2020 (COVID-19 era group). The same data were also collected for the equivalent period of 2019 (pre-COVID-19 era group). Results: = 324) were included. There was a decline in the number of STEMI admissions by 10.5% and STEMI-related PCI procedures by 12.7% in 2020 compared with the equivalent period of 2019. The key time intervals including time from symptom onset to first medical contact, symptom onset to door, door-to-balloon, symptom onset to balloon and symptom onset to thrombolysis showed no significant difference between these two groups. There were no significant differences for in-hospital death and major adverse cardiovascular events between these two groups. Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in China, we observed a decline in the number of STEMI admissions and STEMI-related PCI procedures. However, the key quality indicators of STEMI care were not significantly affected. Restructuring health services during the COVID-19 pandemic has not significantly adversely influenced the in-hospital outcomes.
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Tang et al. (2022) conducted an observational in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (n=610). COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period vs. Equivalent pre-COVID-19 period in 2019 was evaluated on Number of STEMI admissions. The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period was associated with a 10.5% decline in STEMI admissions and a 12.7% decline in STEMI-related PCI procedures compared to the equivalent pre-pandemic period.
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