Excess of cardiovascular deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazilian capital cities.

INTRODUCTION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, excess mortality has been reported, while hospitalisations for acute cardiovascular events reduced. Brazil is the second country with more deaths due to COVID-19. We aimed to evaluate excess cardiovascular mortality during COVID-19 pandemic in 6 Brazilian capital cities. METHODS: Using the Civil Registry public database, we evaluated total and cardiovascular excess deaths, further stratified in specified cardiovascular deaths (acute coronary syndromes and stroke) and unspecified cardiovascular deaths in the 6 Brazilian cities with greater number of COVID-19 deaths (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Fortaleza, Recife, Belém, Manaus). We compared observed with expected deaths from epidemiological weeks 12-22 of 2020. We also compared the number of hospital and home deaths during the period. RESULTS: There were 65 449 deaths and 17 877 COVID-19 deaths in the studied period and cities for 2020. Cardiovascular mortality increased in most cities, with greater magnitude in the Northern capitals. However, while there was a reduction in specified cardiovascular deaths in the most cities, the Northern capitals showed an increase of these events. For unspecified cardiovascular deaths, there was a marked increase in all cities, which strongly correlated to the rise in home deaths (r=0.86, p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Excess cardiovascular mortality was greater in the less developed cities, possibly associated with healthcare collapse. Specified cardiovascular deaths decreased in the most developed cities, in parallel with an increase in unspecified cardiovascular and home deaths, presumably as a result of misdiagnosis. Conversely, specified cardiovascular deaths increased in cities with a healthcare collapse.

Cardiovascular Imaging and Interventional Procedures in Patients with Novel Coronavirus Infection. / Imagem Cardiovascular e Procedimentos Intervencionistas em Pacientes com Infecção pelo Novo Coronavírus.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a huge challenge to the health system because of the exponential increase in the number of individuals affected. The rational use of resources and correct and judicious indication for imaging exams and interventional procedures are necessary, prioritizing patient, healthcare personnel, and environmental safety. This review was aimed at guiding health professionals in safely and effectively performing imaging exams and interventional procedures.

Position Statement: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 - 2020. / Posicionamento para Ressuscitação Cardiopulmonar de Pacientes com Diagnóstico ou Suspeita de COVID-19 ­ 2020.

Care for patients with cardiac arrest in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has several unique aspects that warrant particular attention. This joint position statement by the Brazilian Association of Emergency Medicine (ABRAMEDE), Brazilian Society of Cardiology (SBC), Brazilian Association of Intensive Care Medicine (AMIB), and Brazilian Society of Anesthesiology (SBA), all official societies representing the corresponding medical specialties affiliated with the Brazilian Medical Association (AMB), provides recommendations to guide health care workers in the current context of limited robust evidence, aiming to maximize the protection of staff and patients alike. It is essential that full aerosol precautions, which include wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, be followed during resuscitation. It is also imperative that potential causes of cardiac arrest of particular interest in this patient population, especially hypoxia, cardiac arrhythmias associated with QT prolongation, and myocarditis, be considered and addressed. An advanced invasive airway device should be placed early. Use of HEPA filters at the bag-valve interface is mandatory. Management of cardiac arrest occurring during mechanical ventilation or during prone positioning demands particular ventilator settings and rescuer positioning for chest compressions which deviate from standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques. Apart from these logistical issues, care should otherwise follow national and international protocols and guidelines, namely the 2015 International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) and 2019 American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines and the 2019 Update to the Brazilian Society of Cardiology Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Guideline.