Considerations When Managing Heart Failure during the COVID-19 Pandemic-Consensus from the Taiwan Society of Cardiology.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly around the world since December 2019. Acute heart failure has accounted for 23-24% of the initial presentations in patients with COVID-19 infection. Furthermore, COVID-19 might increase metabolic demand and cause acute decompensation of pre-existing stable heart failure. These patients are thus more susceptible to the evolution of more serious clinical symptoms and a higher mortality rate. Given the lack of knowledge about this new disease, this review provides recommendations for the management of heart failure during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan.

Rehabilitation programs for patients with COronaVIrus Disease 2019: consensus statements of Taiwan Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

The COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which developed into a pandemic in 2020, has become a major healthcare challenge for governments and healthcare workers worldwide. Despite several medical treatment protocols having been established, a comprehensive rehabilitation program that can promote functional recovery is still frequently ignored. An online consensus meeting of an expert panel comprising members of the Taiwan Academy of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation was held to provide recommendations for rehabilitation protocols in each of the five COVID-19 stages, namely (1) outpatients with mild disease and no risk factors, (2) outpatients with mild disease and epidemiological risk factors, (3) hospitalized patients with moderate to severe disease, (4) ventilator-supported patients with clear cognitive function, and (5) ventilator-supported patients with impaired cognitive function. Apart from medications and life support care, a proper rehabilitation protocol that facilitates recovery from COVID-19 needs to be established and emphasized in clinical practice.

Management of acute coronary syndrome in patients with suspected or confirmed coronavirus disease 2019: Consensus from Taiwan Society of Cardiology.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Infection with SARS-CoV may cause coronary plaque instability and lead to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Management of ACS in patients with COVID-19 needs more consideration of the balance between clinical benefit and transmission risk of virus. This review provides recommendations of management strategies for ACS in patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in Taiwan.