Electrotherapy and electrophysiology problems of COVID-19 infected patients in bi-disciplinary cardiological and cardiac surgery ward

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been associated with cardiac complications including cardiac arrhythmias. Decreased healthcare resources led to a reduction in electrotherapy and electrophysiology procedures and to increased mortality due to cardiovascular diseases. This research aimed to assess the real incidence of cardiac arrhythmias and electrotherapy procedures among COVID-19 patients admitted to our bi-disciplinary cardiological and cardiac surgery ward.Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 and cardiac arrhythmias or the need to carry out procedures associated with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED). We assessed their clinical characteristics, the occurrence of arrhythmias and procedures performed during or after the termination of isolation.Results: 17% of patients (38 of 227) were hospitalised due to cardiac arrhythmias or implantations, replacements or CIED removal. The most prevalent cause of hospitalisation were atrial arrhythmias (34%), ventricular arrhythmias (21%) and atrioventricular block (13%). During isolation, the most frequently performed procedures were coronarography (16%), electric cardioversion (13%), pacemaker implantation (5%) and temporary cardiac pacing (5%). 53% of patients needed oxygen supplementation. Overall in-hospital mortality was 18% (7 patients of 38).Conclusion: Cardiac arrhythmias are one of the major complications of COVID-19 in patients with and without prior cardiovascular disease. They are associated with respiratory failure and high mortality. On the other hand, numerous elective procedures were postponed and led to increased mortality due to cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, patients, regardless of their infection status, should have access to electrotherapy and electrophysiology procedures. In this article, we show that it is possible within one properly reorganised unit.