In-hospital outcomes of COVID-19 ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess clinical and prognosis differences in patients with COVID-19 and STEMI. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using a nationwide registry of consecutive patients managed within 42 specific STEMI care networks, we compared patient and procedure characteristics and in-hospital outcomes in two different cohorts, according to whether or not they had COVID-19. Among 1,010 consecutive STEMI patients, 91 were identified as having COVID-19 (9.0%). With the exception of smoking status (more frequent in non-COVID-19 patients) and previous coronary artery disease (more frequent in COVID-19 patients), clinical characteristics were similar between the groups, but COVID-19 patients had more heart failure on arrival (31.9% vs 18.4%, p=0.002). Mechanical thrombectomy (44% vs 33.5%, p=0.046) and GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor administration (20.9% vs 11.2%, p=0.007) were more frequent in COVID-19 patients, who had an increased in-hospital mortality (23.1% vs 5.7%, p<0.0001), that remained consistent after adjustment for age, sex, Killip class and ischaemic time (OR 4.85, 95% CI: 2.04-11.51; p<0.001). COVID-19 patients had an increase of stent thrombosis (3.3% vs 0.8%, p=0.020) and cardiogenic shock development after PCI (9.9% vs 3.8%, p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed a significant increase in in-hospital mortality, stent thrombosis and cardiogenic shock development after PCI in patients with STEMI and COVID-19 in comparison with contemporaneous non-COVID-19 STEMI patients.

Corrigendum: Dynamics of Emergency Cardiovascular Hospital Admissions and In-Hospital Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Time Series Analysis and Impact of Socioeconomic Factors.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.827212.].

Dynamics of Emergency Cardiovascular Hospital Admissions and In-Hospital Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Time Series Analysis and Impact of Socioeconomic Factors.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the decline in urgent cardiovascular hospital admissions and in-hospital mortality during the COVID pandemic in two successive waves, and to evaluate differences by sex, age, and deprivation index subgroups. Methods and Results: We obtained acute cardiovascular hospital episodes during the years 2019-2020 from region-wide data on public healthcare usage for the population of Catalonia (North-East Spain). We fitted time models to estimate the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and acute heart failure (HF) admissions during the first pandemic wave, the between-waves period, and the second wave compared with the corresponding pre-COVID-19 periods and to test for the interaction with sex, age, and area-based socioeconomic level. We evaluated the effect of COVID-19 period on in-hospital mortality. ACS (n = 8,636) and HF (n = 27,566) episodes were defined using primary diagnostic ICD-10 codes. ACS and HF admissions decreased during the first wave (IRR = 0.66, 95%CI: 0.58-0.76 and IRR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.55-0.68, respectively) and during the second wave (IRR = 0.80, 95%CI: 0.72-0.88 and IRR = 0.76, 95%CI: 0.69-0.84, respectively); acute HF admissions also decreased in the period between waves (IRR: 0.81, 95%CI: 0.74-0.89). The impact was similar in all sex and socioeconomic subgroups and was higher in older patients with ACS. In-hospital mortality was higher than expected only during the first wave. Conclusion: During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a marked decline in urgent cardiovascular hospital admissions that were attenuated during the second wave. Both the decline and the attenuation of the effect have been similar in all subgroups regardless of age, sex, or socioeconomic status. In-hospital mortality for ACS and HF episodes increased during the first wave, but not during the second wave.

Spanish Cardiac Catheterization and Coronary Intervention Registry. 30th Official Report of the Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (1990-2020) in the year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (ACI-SEC) presents its annual activity report for 2020, the year of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: All Spanish centers with catheterization laboratories were invited to participate. Data were collected online and were analyzed by an external company, together with the members of the ACI-SEC. RESULTS: A total of 123 centers participated (4 more than 2019), of which 83 were public and 40 were private. Diagnostic coronary angiograms decreased by 9.4%, percutaneous coronary interventions by 10.1%, primary percutaneous coronary interventions by 4.1%, transcatheter aortic valve replacements by 0.9%, and left atrial appendage closure by 8.3%. The only procedures that increased with respect to previous years were edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (13.8%) and patent foramen ovale closure (19.4%). The use of pressure wire (5.5%), intravascular imaging devices and plaque preparation devices decreased (with the exception of lithotripsy, which increased by 62%). CONCLUSIONS: In the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the registry showed a marked drop in activity in all procedures except for percutaneous mitral valve repair and patent foramen ovale closure. This decrease was less marked than previously described, suggesting a rebound in interventional activity after the first wave.

Spanish Cardiac Catheterization and Coronary Intervention Registry. 30th Official Report of the Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (1990-2020) in the year of the COVID-19 pandemic Registro Español de Hemodinámica y Cardiología Intervencionista. XXX Informe Oficial de la Asociación de Cardiología Intervencionista de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (1990-2020) en el año de la pandemia de la COVID-19

Introduction and objectives The Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (ACI-SEC) presents its annual activity report for 2020, the year of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods All Spanish centers with catheterization laboratories were invited to participate. Data were collected online and were analyzed by an external company, together with the members of the ACI-SEC. Results A total of 123 centers participated (4 more than 2019), of which 83 were public and 40 were private. Diagnostic coronary angiograms decreased by 9.4%, percutaneous coronary interventions by 10.1%, primary percutaneous coronary interventions by 4.1%, transcatheter aortic valve replacements by 0.9%, and left atrial appendage closure by 8.3%. The only procedures that increased with respect to previous years were edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (13.8%) and patent foramen ovale closure (19.4%). The use of pressure wire (5.5%), intravascular imaging devices and plaque preparation devices decreased (with the exception of lithotripsy, which increased by 62%). Conclusions In the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the registry showed a marked drop in activity in all procedures except for percutaneous mitral valve repair and patent foramen ovale closure. This decrease was less marked than previously described, suggesting a rebound in interventional activity after the first wave. Full English text available from: www.revespcardiol.org/en

Registro Español de Hemodinámica y Cardiología Intervencionista. XXX Informe Oficial de la Asociación de Cardiología Intervencionista de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (1990-2020) en el año de la pandemia de la COVID-19

Resumen Introducción y objetivos La Asociación de Cardiología Intervencionista de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (ACI-SEC) presenta su informe anual de actividad de 2020, año de la pandemia de la COVID-19. Métodos Se invitó a participar a todos los centros españoles con sala de hemodinámica. La recogida de datos se realizó por vía telemática y una empresa externa, junto con los miembros de la ACI-SEC, llevó a cabo su análisis. Resultados Participaron 123 centros (4 más que el año previo), 83 públicos y 40 privados. Se observó una reducción del 9,4% de coronariografías, el 10,1% de intervenciones coronarias percutáneas, el 4,1% de angioplastias primarias, el 0,9% de válvulas aórticas transcatéter y el 8,3% de cierre de orejuelas. Los únicos procedimientos que se incrementaron con respecto a años previos fueron la reparación mitral con clips (13,8%) y el cierre del foramen oval permeable (19,4%). En cuanto a los dispositivos, disminuyeron las guías de presión (5,5%), la imagen intravascular y los dispositivos de preparación de placa (a excepción de la litotricia, que aumentó un 62%). Conclusiones El registro en el año de la pandemia de la COVID-19 demuestra una marcada caída en la actividad de todos los procedimientos a excepción de la reparación percutánea de la válvula mitral con clips y el cierre del foramen oval permeable. Dicha caída es menor que lo descrito previamente, lo cual indica un rebote de la actividad intervencionista tras la primera ola. Introduction and objectives The Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (ACI-SEC) presents its annual activity report for 2020, the year of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods All Spanish centers with catheterization laboratories were invited to participate. Data were collected online and were analyzed by an external company, together with the members of the ACI-SEC. Results A total of 123 centers participated (4 more than 2019), of which 83 were public and 40 were private. Diagnostic coronary angiograms decreased by 9.4%, percutaneous coronary interventions by 10.1%, primary percutaneous coronary interventions by 4.1%, transcatheter aortic valve replacements by 0.9%, and left atrial appendage closure by 8.3%. The only procedures that increased with respect to previous years were edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (13.8%) and patent foramen ovale closure (19.4%). The use of pressure wire (5.5%), intravascular imaging devices and plaque preparation devices decreased (with the exception of lithotripsy, which increased by 62%). Conclusions In the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the registry showed a marked drop in activity in all procedures except for percutaneous mitral valve repair and patent foramen ovale closure. This decrease was less marked than previously described, suggesting a rebound in interventional activity after the first wave. Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en

Impact of diabetes in patients waiting for invasive cardiac procedures during COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: During COVID-19 pandemic, elective invasive cardiac procedures (ICP) have been frequently cancelled or postponed. Consequences may be more evident in patients with diabetes. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to identify the peculiarities of patients with DM among those in whom ICP were cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to identify subgroups in which the influence of DM has higher impact on the clinical outcome. METHODS: We included 2,158 patients in whom an elective ICP was cancelled or postponed during COVID-19 pandemic in 37 hospitals in Spain. Among them, 700 (32.4%) were diabetics. Patients with and without diabetes were compared. RESULTS: Patients with diabetes were older and had a higher prevalence of other cardiovascular risk factors, previous cardiovascular history and co-morbidities. Diabetics had a higher mortality (3.0% vs. 1.0%; p = 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (1.9% vs. 0.4%; p = 0.001). Differences were especially important in patients with valvular heart disease (mortality 6.9% vs 1.7% [p < 0.001] and cardiovascular mortality 4.9% vs 0.9% [p = 0.002] in patients with and without diabetes, respectively). In the multivariable analysis, diabetes remained as an independent risk factor both for overall and cardiovascular mortality. No significant interaction was found with other clinical variables. CONCLUSION: Among patients in whom an elective invasive cardiac procedure is cancelled or postponed during COVID-19 pandemic, mortality and cardiovascular mortality is higher in patients with diabetes, irrespectively on other clinical conditions. These procedures should not be cancelled in patients with diabetes.

Selección de lo mejor del año 2020 en cardiología intervencionista

Resumen En este artículo se revisan las publicaciones y los estudios de mayor relevancia en el ámbito de la cardiología intervencionista en el año 2020. Dentro del intervencionismo coronario, varios estudios han aportado información relevante en cuanto al tratamiento quirúrgico o percutáneo del tronco coronario izquierdo, así como en el abordaje de bifurcaciones consideradas complejas. En antiagregación tras síndrome coronario agudo e intervencionismo, hay estudios importantes que supondrán modificaciones de las guías de práctica clínica. En angina estable, los datos indican que el manejo inicial conservador puede ser adecuado. Finalmente, la fisiología coronaria sigue despertando gran interés en diferentes contextos clínicos y anatómicos. En cuanto al intervencionismo estructural, continúa experimentando un importante crecimiento y desarrollo. Se ha publicado el primer estudio aleatorizado sobre el tratamiento antitrombótico tras implante de válvula aórtica percutánea, que cambiará nuestra práctica clínica. Destacan también los avances y primeros implantes de prótesis percutáneas mitrales y tricúspides y la evidencia en favor del cierre de la orejuela en pacientes de alto riesgo. Finalmente, este año ha estado marcado por la pandemia de COVID-19 y su repercusión sobre la actividad asistencial e investigadora. This article reviews the most relevant studies in the field of interventional cardiology in 2020. In the area of coronary intervention, relevant information with respect to the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) vs coronary artery bypass grafting for the left main treatment has been published, as well as, the best approach in dealing with complex bifurcation lesions. There have also been significant studies regarding antiplatelet strategies in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing PCI, which will potentially change our clinical practice. Regarding stable angina, data point out that an initial conservative treatment can be an appropriate strategy. Finally, coronary physiology continues to generate a great interest in different clinical and anatomical contexts. The advances in the field of intervention for structural heart disease have continued to increase exponentially in the last year. The first randomized trial assessing the optimal antithrombotic treatment after transcatheter aortic valve implantation has been published and that will have clinical implications. It also highlightes the development and implantation of the first mitral and tricuspid percutaneous prosthesis, as well as, the evidence in favour of left atrial appendage closure in high-risk patients. Finally, this year has been marked by the COVID-19 pandemic which has had an impact on the clinical and research activities.

Consequences of canceling elective invasive cardiac procedures during Covid-19 outbreak.

BACKGROUND: During COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, elective procedures were canceled or postponed, mainly due to health care systems overwhelming. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the consequences of interrupting invasive procedures in patients with chronic cardiac diseases due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Spain. METHODS: The study population is comprised of 2,158 patients that were pending on elective cardiac invasive procedures in 37 hospitals in Spain on the 14th of March 2020, when a state of alarm and subsequent lockdown was declared in Spain due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These patients were followed-up until April 31th. RESULTS: Out of the 2,158 patients, 36 (1.7%) died. Mortality was significantly higher in patients pending on structural procedures (4.5% vs. 0.8%, respectively; p < .001), in those >80 year-old (5.1% vs. 0.7%, p < .001), and in presence of diabetes (2.7% vs. 0.9%, p = .001), hypertension (2.0% vs. 0.6%, p = .014), hypercholesterolemia (2.0% vs. 0.9%, p = .026) [Correction added on December 23, 2020, after first online publication: as per Dr. Moreno's request changes in p-values were made after original publication in Abstract.], chronic renal failure (6.0% vs. 1.2%, p < .001), NYHA > II (3.8% vs. 1.2%, p = .001), and CCS > II (4.2% vs. 1.4%, p = .013), whereas was it was significantly lower in smokers (0.5% vs. 1.9%, p = .013). Multivariable analysis identified age > 80, diabetes, renal failure and CCS > II as independent predictors for mortality. CONCLUSION: Mortality at 45 days during COVID-19 outbreak in patients with chronic cardiovascular diseases included in a waiting list due to cancellation of invasive elective procedures was 1.7%. Some clinical characteristics may be of help in patient selection for being promptly treated when similar situations happen in the future.

[Impact of COVID-19 on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction care. The Spanish experience]. / Impacto de la COVID-19 en el tratamiento del infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST. La experiencia española.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 outbreak has had an unclear impact on the treatment and outcomes of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of this study was to assess changes in STEMI management during the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS: Using a multicenter, nationwide, retrospective, observational registry of consecutive patients who were managed in 75 specific STEMI care centers in Spain, we compared patient and procedural characteristics and in-hospital outcomes in 2 different cohorts with 30-day follow-up according to whether the patients had been treated before or after COVID-19. RESULTS: Suspected STEMI patients treated in STEMI networks decreased by 27.6% and patients with confirmed STEMI fell from 1305 to 1009 (22.7%). There were no differences in reperfusion strategy (> 94% treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention in both cohorts). Patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention during the COVID-19 outbreak had a longer ischemic time (233 [150-375] vs 200 [140-332] minutes, P < .001) but showed no differences in the time from first medical contact to reperfusion. In-hospital mortality was higher during COVID-19 (7.5% vs 5.1%; unadjusted OR, 1.50; 95%CI, 1.07-2.11; P < .001); this association remained after adjustment for confounders (risk-adjusted OR, 1.88; 95%CI, 1.12-3.14; P = .017). In the 2020 cohort, there was a 6.3% incidence of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: The number of STEMI patients treated during the current COVID-19 outbreak fell vs the previous year and there was an increase in the median time from symptom onset to reperfusion and a significant 2-fold increase in the rate of in-hospital mortality. No changes in reperfusion strategy were detected, with primary percutaneous coronary intervention performed for the vast majority of patients. The co-existence of STEMI and SARS-CoV-2 infection was relatively infrequent.

Spanish Cardiac Catheterization and Coronary Intervention Registry. 29th Official Report of the Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (1990-2019).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (ACI-SEC) presents its annual report on the activity for 2019. METHODS: All Spanish centers with a catheterization laboratory were invited to participate. Data were introduced online and analyzed by an external company together with the Steering Committee of the ACI-SEC. RESULTS: A total of 119 centers participated (83 public, 36 private). In all, there were 165124 diagnostic studies (4.7% more than in 2018). The use of pressure wire and intravascular ultrasound increased by 20% and that of optical coherence tomography by 8.4%. The number of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) rose by 4.5% (75 819 procedures). Of these, 22529 were performed in the acute myocardial infarction setting, with 91.8% being primary PCI (6.3% increase). The mean number of primary PCIs per million inhabitants increased to 439. Among PCIs, access was radial in 88.3%. There were 4281 transcatheter aortic valve implantations (21.0% increase), with an average of 90.9 per million inhabitants. Mitral valve repair also rose by 17.4% (n=385), left atrial appendage closure by 43.0% (n=921) and patent foramen ovale closure by 38.1% (n=710). CONCLUSIONS: In 2019, the use of intracoronary diagnostic techniques increased, as did that of diagnostic and therapeutic coronary procedures, mainly in primary PCI. Of particular note was the marked increase in the number of transcatheter aortic valve implantations, as well as in the number of mitral valve repairs and left atrial appendage and patent foramen ovale closure procedures.

[Spanish Cardiac Catheterization and Coronary Intervention Registry. 29th Official Report of the Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (1990-2019)]. / Registro Español de Hemodinámica y Cardiología Intervencionista. XXIX Informe Oficial de la Asociación de Cardiología Intervencionista de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología (1990-2019).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The Interventional Cardiology Association of the Spanish Society of Cardiology (ACI-SEC) presents its annual report on the activity for 2019. METHODS: All Spanish centers with a catheterization laboratory were invited to participate. Data were introduced online and analyzed by an external company together with the Steering Committee of the ACI-SEC. RESULTS: A total of 119 centers participated (83 public, 36 private). In all, there were 165 124 diagnostic studies (4.7% more than in 2018). The use of pressure wire and intravascular ultrasound increased by 20% and that of optical coherence tomography by 8.4%. The number of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) rose by 4.5% (75 819 procedures). Of these, 22 529 were performed in the acute myocardial infarction setting, with 91.8% being primary PCI (6.3% increase). The mean number of primary PCIs per million inhabitants increased to 439. Among PCIs, access was radial in 88.3%. There were 4281 transcatheter aortic valve implantations (21.0% increase), with an average of 90.9 per million inhabitants. Mitral valve repair also rose by 17.4% (n = 385), left atrial appendage closure by 43.0% (n = 921) and patent foramen ovale closure by 38.1% (n = 710). CONCLUSIONS: In 2019, the use of intracoronary diagnostic techniques increased, as did that of diagnostic and therapeutic coronary procedures, mainly in primary PCI. Of particular note was the marked increase in the number of transcatheter aortic valve implantations, as well as in the number of mitral valve repairs and left atrial appendage and patent foramen ovale closure procedures.

Impact of COVID-19 on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction care. The Spanish experience.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 outbreak has had an unclear impact on the treatment and outcomes of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of this study was to assess changes in STEMI management during the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS: Using a multicenter, nationwide, retrospective, observational registry of consecutive patients who were managed in 75 specific STEMI care centers in Spain, we compared patient and procedural characteristics and in-hospital outcomes in 2 different cohorts with 30-day follow-up according to whether the patients had been treated before or after COVID-19. RESULTS: Suspected STEMI patients treated in STEMI networks decreased by 27.6% and patients with confirmed STEMI fell from 1305 to 1009 (22.7%). There were no differences in reperfusion strategy (> 94% treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention in both cohorts). Patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention during the COVID-19 outbreak had a longer ischemic time (233 [150-375] vs 200 [140-332] minutes, P<.001) but showed no differences in the time from first medical contact to reperfusion. In-hospital mortality was higher during COVID-19 (7.5% vs 5.1%; unadjusted OR, 1.50; 95%CI, 1.07-2.11; P <.001); this association remained after adjustment for confounders (risk-adjusted OR, 1.88; 95%CI, 1.12-3.14; P=.017). In the 2020 cohort, there was a 6.3% incidence of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: The number of STEMI patients treated during the current COVID-19 outbreak fell vs the previous year and there was an increase in the median time from symptom onset to reperfusion and a significant 2-fold increase in the rate of in-hospital mortality. No changes in reperfusion strategy were detected, with primary percutaneous coronary intervention performed for the vast majority of patients. The co-existence of STEMI and SARS-CoV-2 infection was relatively infrequent.