How digital technologies are taking shape in the teaching-learning process: COVID-19 and beyond

In face of the COVID-19 pandemic, over 1.5 billion students were affected by the closure of school institutions in 191 countries worldwide (UNESCO, COVID-19), forcing educational institutions to migrate quickly to online and virtual teaching formats. This article aims to analyze the importance of Digital Information and Communication Technologies (DICT) in the teaching-learning process during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper uses an analytical-interpretive method to provoke reflections that may help researchers, educators, tutors, and administrators to understand the challenges and technological innovations that were developed and experienced during this crisis, as well as implications for the future of remote synchronous delivery. In our analyses, it was observed that it is not enough to have access to the latest technological resources in order to have an effective online learning experience. It is necessary to provide opportunities to students and professors to develop a new learning path, using information and communication technologies that are gradually shifting from corporate environments to an educational context. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021. All rights reserved.

Multidisciplinary Virtual Tumor Boards (VTB): A Single Center Satisfaction Survey

INTRODUCTION: With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many cancer centers pivoted to a completely virtual multidisciplinary tumor board (VTB) format. We previously published a significant rise in number of attendees and cases presented with the transition from in-person to VTB at our institution. The aim of the current study was to measure the satisfaction of participants regarding the virtual format. METHOD(S): We developed a 21-question survey including 10 questions that directly compared virtual to in-person tumor boards using a 5-point Likert scale. The survey was imported into REDCap and sent via email to all tumor board participants. Responses were collected for approximately 4 weeks (reminder email at 2 weeks) and categorized. RESULT(S): There were a total of 83 respondents, 53 of whom (64%) attended both in-person and VTB. Specialties with highest response rates were Surgical Oncology (n=24) and Medical Oncology (n=18), and tumor boards with highest participation in the survey were Breast (n=26) and Gastrointestinal (n=21). Most respondents accessed the virtual platform from the hospital or office (67%) with some participation from home (19%). Most (77%) participants were either satisfied or very satisfied with the VTB format compared with 70% for in-person tumor board. Additionally, the majority of respondents (95%) felt that VTBs had great value for discussions with community-based clinicians. In terms of direct comparison to in-person tumor boards, 40% felt that the level of distraction was higher for VTB. The large majority of respondents felt that they were somewhat more (24%) or significantly more (44%) available for VTB format. Finally, when asked regarding their preference going forward, 52% favored virtual, 6% favored in-person, and 42% favored some sort of hybrid variety type of tumor board. CONCLUSION(S): The majority of multidisciplinary tumor board participants expressed satisfaction with the virtual format and prefer it to in-person meetings going forward. VTB allows increased accessibility, opportunities to engage community oncologists, and the ability to present more cases. Drawbacks to this format included less face-to-face interaction and increased levels of distraction. Our institution is currently considering completely virtual and hybrid options moving forward.

Learning Graphics in Supervised Teaching Practice in an Educational COVID-19 Context

The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has brought a sudden change in society and education. Thus, it was necessary to readapt the management of resources and knowledge already acquired to create new environments for the teaching and learning process. In this new paradigm, it was imperative not to give up and the watchword was to differentiate, as each child was an individual being with their own needs and motivations. On the other hand, it was vital to continue to promote educational experiences that articulated knowledge, with special emphasis on Mathematics, an unloved subject for many children. Based on these conceptions, in the Supervised Teaching Practice of the master's in teaching of the 1st CEB and of Mathematics and Natural Sciences in the 2nd CEB, it was important, in this distance learning period, to study what is the influence on the learning of the content on Statistics based on the child's real-life data. The methodology used was the case study which was implemented in a classroom and the technics implemented were the qualitative and interpretive. This teaching strategy was significant for the child, and a pedagogical differentiation promoted since different individual teaching activities applied for the use of new educational platforms. At the end, beneficial consequences for children were observed specifically on significant mathematical learning. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

Artificial Neural Networks and BPPC Features for Detecting COVID-19 and Severity Level

Since vaccination started, the COVID-19 scenario has improved. On the other hand, although the number of deaths has significantly dropped, the number of new cases is still a concern. Thus, patient tracking and follow-up are essential tasks, and chest X-ray examination is the first-order tool. While several studies using CXR and computing have been developed, they did not translate into clinical applications yet. One of the reasons is the computational effort required to run huge deep learning models and its high cost to be adopted in community clinics. Therefore, this work proposes a lightweight (few computational resources needed), fast (training and inference time), and reasoned solution for automatic COVID-19 detection and assessment of its severity. Our method is based on extracting features by Binary Pattern of Phase Congruency (BPPC) in segmented CXR images. Radiomic features are extracted from the segmented CXR image, and an SVM-based selection process is used to build two models of a shallow Feed-Forward network. The results surpass previous studies, with an average accuracy for COVID-19 detection of 98.71%. For images without evidence of infection but with a positive PCR test, an accuracy of 94.74% is reached. In a second task, the severity level of COVID 19 is estimated with an AUC of 98.92%. This high performance helps improve the speed and accuracy of diagnosis and severity assessment of COVID19 infection, proving to be a viable option in transitioning from a research field to a clinical environment. © 2022 IEEE.

Reduction in final year medical students’ knowledge during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from an interinstitutional progress test

There has been little information about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted medical students’ knowledge acquisition. The aim of the study was to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical students’ knowledge acquisition by comparing the students’ performance on two Progress Test exams administered in 2019 (pre-pandemic) and 2020 (during the pandemic). We included data from 1,491 students at two medical schools in Brazil. Both schools had experienced interrupted preclinical classes and clinical clerkship rotations in March 2020 but had resumed remote preclinical classes with online activities within 1 month after the interruption and clerkship rotations within five to 6 months after the interruption. We analyzed the data with the Rasch model from Item Response Theory to calibrate the difficulty of the two exams and calculated the performance of the students, with comparison of the differences of mean knowledge for each year and between the two cohorts. We found that the students’ knowledge in the cohort of 2019 was higher than those in the cohort of 2020, except in the second year. Also, the students did not show any increase in knowledge between 2019 and 2020 in the clerkship years. It appears that the pandemic significantly impaired the knowledge acquisition of medical students, mainly in the clerkship years, where practical activities are the central part of training. This is of special concern in low- and middle-income countries where graduated medical doctors are allowed to practice without further training or are required to have continuing professional development. Copyright © 2022 Hamamoto Filho, Cecilio-Fernandes, Norcia, Sandars, Anderson and Bicudo.

Can we optimize d-dimer cut off value to predict pulmonary embolism in covid-19 patients?

Background: Covid-19 is associated with an increased risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) therefore, should the cut off d-dimer value be adjusted for these patients? Material(s) and Method(s): Retrospective and observational study to understand if there is a d-dimer cut-off that could guide clinics to perform a thoracic computed tomography angiography (CTA) in patients with covid-19. The population was covid-19 patients admitted to covid-19 dedicated wards of a University Hospital Centre for one year. Result(s) and Conclusion(s): 725 (52%) patients with covid-19 had a d-dimer value dosed during the first 5 days of the disease. Those, 63 (9%) did a CTA with a diagnosis of 16 (25%) PE. Gender was equally represented, median age was 70 years (ID=3.49) and the majority (94%) survived. Thirteen (81%) patients with PE had a d-dimer value above 2500 ng/mL (OR=9.244, 95% CI 2.248-9.837), with 7 (54%) with values over 10000 ng/mL, but in 3 (9%) it was under 1500 ng/mL. Seventy-three (63%) of patients with a d-dimer over 1500 ng/mL did not had a thoracic CTA performed. In our population PE was not a frequent outcome. The results are influenced by the low number of thoracic CTA performed because, even tough the cut-off d-dimer value used at our hospital to perform a thoracic CTA to exclude PE is 1500 ng/mL, most patients with that d-dimer value did not take the exam and so PE could not be excluded. Although in most PE cases the d-dimer value was above 2500 ng/mL, the results of our study cannot verify if that is a better cut-off value.

ASSESSMENT OF FEAR AND STRESS BY THE ELDERLY IN THE NEW CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objective: to identify the main fears and level of stress regarding the New coronavirus pandemic in the aged. Method: cross-sectional, analytical study based on a non-probability sample by convenience composed of 25 elderly users of a public square in the municipality of Belém, Pará, Brazil, conducted from January to June 2021. The sociodemographic questionnaire, New coronavirus fear scale, and perceived stress scale were applied. The parametric t-test (p<0.05) was used. Results: the average age was 67.6 years, predominantly female (72%). It was evidenced that the elderly presented a moderate level of fear (p0.001) related to the fear of COVID-19 (t=0.26). Moderate level of perceived stress (p0.001) related to irritability caused by the out-of-control situation (t=0.00) prevailed. Conclusion: perceiving fear and stress in the elderly contributes to the development of actions by professionals to promote mental health in times of pandemic. © 2022, Universidade Federal do Parana. All rights reserved.

Relationship between physical activity and health-related quality of life in children and adolescents during COVID-19 social distancing

This study aimed to verify the relationship between physical activity (PA) with health-related quality (HQOL) of life domains in children and adolescents during COVID-19 social distancing. A Cross-sectional and analytical study with a quantitative approach in a sample of 119 girls and 121 boys. Questionnaires and statistical methods were applied. The correlation between PA and HQOL was stronger in boys (46.9%) than girls (14.5%), which may be explained because there is a considerable and stronger relationship between age, and the school grade with HQOL in girls. In conclusion, physical activity was associated with the quality of life of children and adolescents during social distance due to the COVID-19. These findings show the importance of this population to remain physically active so that health parameters are not affected during this period © Copyright 2018: Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Murcia

Children's Impressions of Early Spelling Assessment through Handwriting on Tablets vs. Paper-based Method

Traditional paper-based children's spelling assessments were hampered due to Covid-19 because existing technologies did not provide strategic signals to teachers, such as the child's handwriting direction and how they read what they write. Our project emerged as a novel method to assess children's spelling by touchscreens in this context. Hence, this paper aims to extend community knowledge concerning children's experience and perception of handwriting spelling on tablet devices. The experiment consisted in presenting three handwriting methods (paper and pencil, finger and pen writing) and was conducted with eight Brazilian children between 4.5 and 7 years old. In addition to observation, in our experimental protocol we adopted the Fun Sorter, Again-Again Table, and the Smileyometer as evaluation tools. Our results show children were excited about handwriting using a touch pen on the tablet. Most of them even revealed they prefer the pen tablet mode to the traditional paper and pencil mode. However, the majority of children did not feel comfortable writing by finger, and it required more time than other methods. Furthermore, we observed child's handwriting using finger looks different when compared to paper and pencil, while the tracing using a touch pen is similar to the registration produced on paper. © 2022 Owner/Author.

Prevalence and impact of dysrhythmias in COVID-19 intensive care patients

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on clinical practice, amounting to more emergency department and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. Due to their frequent multiple comorbidities, management in the ICU is challenging. Early studies suggest that cardiac injury is frequent in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, and it is plausible that these patients have a higher risk of cardiac dysrhythmias. Purpose: To determine the prevalence of dysrhythmias in ICU patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, identify major predictors and determine the impact on in-hospital mortality. Methods: A retrospective study of 98 consecutive patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia admitted to the ICU of a tertiary hospital in 2020. The main outcome was dysrhythmias (including significant bradycardia, high/slow ventricular rate or new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter, other supraventricular tachycardias, ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation). Significant bradycardia was defined as heart rate lower than 40 or need of treatment. Sociodemographic variables and clinical data were retrieved for each patient, severity scores at admission (Apache II, SOFA and SAPS II), number of days on mechanical ventilation or high-flow oxygen and placement on Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) or prone position were recorded. Statistical comparison was made between groups, including logistic regression adjusting for confounding variables. Results: The most frequent arrhythmia was significant sinus bradycardia (28, 28.5%) followed by high ventricular rate AF (14, 14.2%). Patients who had dysrhythmias were older (66.24 ± 10.13 vs 60.85 ± 12.69 years, p 0.024), more severe (SAPS II score 42.55 ± 11.08 vs 35.98 ± 11.26, p 0.006), had more atrial fibrillation (AF) (p 0.022), had higher maximum C-reactive protein (mCRP) (6.56 ± 2.68 vs 6.24 vs 2.86, p 0.009), were mechanically ventilated for a longer time (15.64 ± 13.18 vs 8.92 ± 8.85 days, p 0.004), had longer intubation time (14.52 ± 9.39 vs 8.70 ± 8.21 days, p 0.002) and had higher usage of dexamethasone (p 0.042) and prone position (p 0.016). When adjusted for confounding variables, prone was the most significant predictor (OR 2.800;95% CI 1.203-6.516) followed by use of dexamethasone (OR 2.484;95% CI 1.020-6.050). Days intubated, days on mechanical ventilation, age, mCRP and SAPS II on admission were also predictors of dysrhythmia. Regarding mortality, patients with arrhythmic events had a tendency for greater in-hospital death (OR 2.440;95% CI 0.950-6.310;p 0.065). Conclusions: COVID-19 ICU patients are a subset of patients at risk of cardiac arrhythmias. Use of prone position was the main contributor to these events, but clinical history, severity and treatment may also play an important role. Efforts must be made to optimize ventilatory support and treatment in order to reduce the risk of dysrhythmias. (Figure Presented).

Tachydysrhythmias in patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia: prevalence and impact on in-hospital mortality

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted tremendously the paradigm of hospital care and treatment of cardiovascular (CV) patients. According to most recent evidence, due to its multisystemic impact, COVID-19 may lead to an increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias with subsequently increased morbimortality. Purpose: Determine the prevalence of tachyarrhythmias in patients admitted with COVID-19, possible predictors and impact on in-hospital mortality. Methods: A retrospective study of 3475 consecutive patients with COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to our hospital between February 2020 and November 2021 were included. The main outcome was tachyarrhythmias (high ventricular rate (HVR) or new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), HVR or new-onset atrial flutter (AFL), other supraventricular tachycardias (SVT), ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF)). Secondary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Sociodemographic variables and clinical data were recorded. Statistical comparison was made between groups, including logistic regression to determine odds ratios (OR). Results: A total of 215 patients presented HVR AF (6.31%), 79 of which with new-onset AF (36.74%). 8 patients had HVR AFL (0.23%), 5 VT (0.15%), 4 VF (0.12%) and only 3 patients had a SVT identified (0.09%). Patients with tachyarrhythmias were significantly older (77. 74 ± 11.25 68.94 ± 17.51 years, p <0.001) and had more hypertension (p 0.034), heart failure (HF) (p <0.001), severe valvular heart disease (VHD) (p 0.007), coronary artery disease (CAD) (p 0.031), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (p 0.048) and paroxysmal AF (if previously diagnosed (p 0.001). There were no significant differences regarding gender, dyslipidemia, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Patients with HF had the highest risk of tachyarrhythmia (OR 3.539;95% CI 2.666-4.698;p <0.001), followed by severe VHD (OR 1.990;95% CI 1.192-3.365;p 0.009) and CAD (OR 1.575;95% CI 1.040-2.386;p 0.032). Older patients or patients with hypertension or CKD were also at an increased risk. Also of note, patients previously diagnosed with paroxysmal AF were more likely to have episodes of HVR AF than the ones with persistent or permanent AF (OR 1.819;95% CI 1.272-2.602;p 0.001) Regarding the secondary outcome, patients with tachyarrhythmias during hospital stay had an odd almost 3 times higher of death (OR 2.820;95% CI 2.151-3.695;p <0.001). Conclusions: Tachyarrhythmias is a common complication in COVID-19 patients during hospital stay that is significantly linked to higher in-hospital mortality. Patients presenting with high CV disease burden are at particularly significant risk and should be carefully managed. Odds-ratio of tachyarrhythmias (Figure Presented).

The transition to motherhood during COVID-19: The mediating role of postpartum depression in the association between self-compassion and mindful parenting among Portuguese postpartum women

Background The COVID-19 pandemic can have a significant negative impact on postpartum women's mental health and, consequently, on their parenting. Self-compassion can help mothers navigate the transition to motherhood more adaptively during this pandemic. Aims and Objectives This study aims to: 1) compare depressed and non-depressed mothers and those who experienced and did not experience a negative emotional impact of COVID-19 on mindful parenting;2) explore whether self-compassion is associated with mindful parenting and whether this association can be mediated by lower levels of postpartum depression (PPD);and 3) explore the moderating role of the perceived emotional impact of COVID-19 on these associations. Methods During December 2020, 997 Portuguese mothers of infants with an average age of 2.5 months (SD = 1.28, range:0-6) completed an online survey that included a sociodemographic and obstetric form, questions about the perceived negative emotional impact of the pandemic, the Self-Compassion Scale, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and the Interpersonal Mindfulness in Parenting Scale. Results Women scoring above the EPDS cut-off (38.5%) presented lower levels of self-compassion and of all mindful parenting dimensions. In addition, mothers who reported having felt that the pandemic had a negative emotional impact during pregnancy (76.6%) and postpartum (79.5%) presented lower levels of self-regulation and non-judgemental acceptance of parental functioning. A moderated mediation analysis showed that higher levels of self-compassion were associated with higher levels of mindful parenting and that this association was mediated by lower levels of PPD, particularly among mothers who experienced a negative emotional impact of the pandemic. Interpretation/Discussion COVID-19 has a negative impact on postpartum women's mental health and parenting. Self-compassion seems to help mothers feel less depressed and be more mindful in parenting. Conclusions Postpartum women should be offered the possibility of receiving mental health support, especially during the pandemic. Compassion-based interventions may be particularly important in reducing PPD and promoting mindful parenting.

Becoming a mother during COVID-19: A national study on the experiences of pregnancy and childbirth in Portugal

Background Having a baby during the COVID-19 pandemic poses a number of challenges for mothers, which can seriously compromise their mental health. Aims and Objectives This study aims to describe the birth and postpartum experiences of a national sample of Portuguese postpartum mothers. It also aims to investigate the role of the negative emotional impact of the pandemic on mothers' mental health. Methods During December 2020, 1413 Portuguese mothers (70.8% primiparous) of infants with an average age of 2.5 months (SD = 1.32, range: 0-6) completed an online survey that included a sociodemographic and obstetric form, questions about the perceived emotional impact of the pandemic, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and the Postpartum-Specific Anxiety Scale. Results Most mothers (75.5%) were on pregnancy leave due to an obstetrical complication (45.2%), to avoid COVID-19 infection (44.8%), or both (10%). 95.9% of mothers did a COVID test before labour, but only 1.1% tested positive. Women who did not have the delivery they desired (45.2%), who were unable to be with their baby shortly after birth (14.6%), and who did not perform skin-to-skin contact (33.4%) were significantly more anxious and depressed in the postpartum than those who had the delivery they desired, contacted with their baby after birth and performed skin-to-skin contact. Women who scored above the cut-off on EPDS (37.9%) and who reported that COVID-19 had a negative emotional impact during pregnancy (77.5%) and postpartum (80.1%) presented higher levels of postpartum anxiety and depression. Interpretation/Discussion Having a baby during COVID-19 seems to have a significant impact on postpartum mothers' mental health. In addition, a positive birth experience seems to be a key factor in women's psychological adjustment. Conclusions Despite the limitations imposed by the pandemic, it is essential to promote a positive birth experience and to ensure that women in the perinatal period can obtain psychological support whenever they need it.

The role of mothers' self-compassion on mother-infant bonding during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study exploring the mediating role of mindful parenting and parenting stress in the postpartum period

Background The current COVID-19 pandemic is a challenging time for postpartum mothers, and associated challenges may have a negative impact on their parenting and, consequently, on mother-infant bonding. Aims and Objectives This study aimed to longitudinally explore whether mothers' self-compassion was associated with mother-infant bonding and whether this relationship was mediated by mindful parenting and parenting stress. Methods A total of 125 Portuguese mothers of infants aged between zero and 12 months completed an online survey at two assessment points during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (T1: April-May 2020;T2: June-July 2020). The survey included several questionnaires assessing sociodemographic, clinical and COVID-19 information;self-compassion;mindful parenting;parenting stress;and mother-infant bonding. Results Mothers presented significantly higher levels of self-compassion, less impaired mother-infant bonding and lower levels of depressive symptoms at T2 than T1. Higher levels of self-compassion at T1 predicted less impaired mother-infant bonding at T2, and this relationship was mediated by higher levels of mindful parenting and lower levels of parenting stress (both assessed at T1). Interpretation/Discussion Self-compassion seems to be an important predictor of mother-infant bonding. This relationship is explained by a mindful approach to parenting and by mothers' levels of parenting stress. Conclusions These results highlight the relevance of mothers' self-compassion to establishing mother-infant bonding in the postpartum period, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the important role of mindful parenting and parenting stress in determining this relationship.

Protective factors of postpartum depression and anxiety during COVID-19: A longitudinal study with postpartum mothers before and during a national lockdown

Background In the beginning of 2021, Portugal faced the most difficult phase of the pandemic, being for several weeks at the top of the world ranking of infection and mortality. The transition to motherhood can be particularly difficult in this context and lead mothers to experience high levels of depression and anxiety. Therefore, it is essential to examine the role of modifiable psychological factors than can help women better adjust to this phase, such as self-compassion and psychological flexibility. Aims and Objectives 1) examine the evolution of postpartum depression and anxiety over two distinct phases of the COVID-19 pandemic;and 2) investigate whether self-compassion and psychological flexibility can reduce the likelihood of later postpartum depression and anxiety. Methods 383 Portuguese postpartum mothers completed an online survey during a pandemic phase with few restrictions (December 2020;T1) and during the third wave of the pandemic and national lockdown (March 2021;T2). The survey included a sociodemographic and obstetric form, and questionnaires assessing postpartum depression (EPDS), postpartum anxiety (PSAS-PT), self-compassion (SCS), and psychological flexibility (CompACT). Results Postpartum anxiety and depression levels significantly increased from T1 to T2 (e.g. the number of women scoring above the EPDS cut-off increased from 35.5% to 42.8%). Higher levels of self-compassion and psychological flexibility at T1 predicted lower levels of postpartum depression and anxiety at T2. Interpretation/Discussion COVID-19 control measures, including a general lockdown, have a substantial impact on postpartum women's mental health. Self-compassion and psychological flexibility are two psychological resources that seem to protect women from developing depression and anxiety during postpartum and in a particularly challenging phase of the pandemic. Conclusions Compassion-and acceptance-based interventions can help postpartum women to better adapt to postpartum challenges and to particularly demanding periods such as a lockdown.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on emergent pacemaker implantation during lockdown and its aftermath

Background: COVID-19 was first considered a pandemic on the 11th of March of 2020 by the World Health Organization. Its impact comprised not only the direct consequences of the disease but a decrease in the follow-up and interventions of patients with cardiovascular (CV) disease. In Portugal and the World, the consequences of this complex paradigm shift on emergent pacemaker implantation rates during and after this pandemic is largely unknown. Purpose: We sought to analyse the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on emergent pacemaker implantation rate and patient profile in a tertiary hospital during the first Portuguese lockdown and subsequent post-lockdown period. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical profile of patients who had pacemakers implanted in our hospital in an urgent/emergent setting from March 18, 2020 to May 17, 2020 (lockdown) and May 19 to July 17, 2020 (post-lockdown). This data was then directly compared to the homologous periods from the year before (H1 and H2, respectively). Results: A total of 180 patients submitted to emergent pacemaker implantation were included. The cohort was comprised of 29 patients who had a pacemaker implanted during lockdown, 60 post-lockdown, 38 in H1 (+31% vs lockdown) and 53 in H2. Average age and gender proportion were similar for all groups. When comparing lockdown and post-lockdown periods, the number of cases significantly increased in the second period (+106.9%) and there was a tendency for a higher number of temporary pacemaker use (3.4% vs 16.7%;p=0.076). Patients admitted during lockdown were 7.57 times more likely to present with hypotension/shock (odds ratio (OR) 7.57;p=0.013). Regarding lockdown and its homologous 2019 period, there was a decrease in the number of patients admitted (-23.7%). Again, there was a higher tendency for hypotension on presentation during lockdown (p=0.054). In comparison to its homologous 2019 period, post-lockdown saw a slight increase in the number of patients (+13.2%) and more patients presented with bradycardia (16.7% vs 3.8%;p=0.026). Also of note, no patients were admitted to the emergency department during lockdown for anomalies detected on ambulatory tests (Holter, electrocardiogram or implanted loop recorder). Conclusion: During lockdown, clinical presentation was generally more severe, with a greater number of patients presenting with hypotension/ shock. In addition, there appears to be a lockdown effect on emergent bradyarrhtmias admissions in the post-lockdown period with a profound impact: higher admission rates and more severe presentations including a higher need of temporary pacemaker. Patients with symptoms suggestive of bradyarrhythmias should be advised to present promptly regardless of the pandemic. (Figure Presented).