Hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome in the post-COVID-19 pandemic period was not associated with a significant difference in 6-month major adverse cardiovascular events compared to the pre-pandemic period.
Cross-Sectional (n=4,408)
No
Does the COVID-19 pandemic, prior infection, or vaccination status affect the incidence, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome?
COVID-19 vaccination and prior infection were not associated with adverse clinical outcomes or increased MACE rates in patients presenting with ACS.
Absolute Event Rate: 2.9% vs 3.7%
p-value: p=0.131
Abstract Aim This study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, with particular emphasis on COVID-19 infection history and vaccination status. Materials and methods This retrospective, single-center study included patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) and hospitalized with a diagnosis of ACS during the pre-pandemic period (2018–2019) and the post-pandemic period (2023–2024). Patients were compared in terms of age, sex, ACS subtype, comorbidities, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), length of hospital stay, and mortality. In the post-pandemic cohort, subgroup analyses were performed based on COVID-19 infection status and vaccination status. Results A total of 4,408 patients were included, of whom 1,164 (26.4%) were female and 3,244 (73.6%) were male, with a mean age of 59.1 ± 12.5 years. No significant differences were observed between the pre- and post-pandemic periods regarding age, sex distribution, total ACS case numbers, or MACE rates. However, a statistically significant increase in STEMI-related hospitalizations and a significant decrease in the proportion of NSTEMI cases were observed in the post-pandemic period. The length of hospital stay for coronary artery disease was significantly longer after the pandemic, whereas mortality rates did not differ significantly between periods. Conclusion Our findings reveal no significant correlation between COVID-19 vaccination or previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and the incidence of ACS presentations. Additionally, we observed no notable influence on clinical outcomes or medium- to long-term MACE rates among patients hospitalized with ACS in the post-pandemic period. While these findings suggest no adverse association between vaccination status and clinical outcomes among patients presenting with ACS, further large-scale, multicenter studies are needed to clarify potential long-term associations.
Solmazipek et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Acute Coronary Syndrome (n=4,408). Post-COVID-19 pandemic period vs. Pre-COVID-19 pandemic period was evaluated on 6-month Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE) (p=0.131). Hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome in the post-COVID-19 pandemic period was not associated with a significant difference in 6-month major adverse cardiovascular events compared to the pre-pandemic period.
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