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Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Emergency Care Utilization in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: a Nationwide Population-based Study.
Sung, Ho Kyung; Paik, Jin Hui; Lee, Yu Jin; Kang, Soo.
  • Sung HK; National Emergency Medical Center, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
  • Paik JH; Department of Emergency Medicine, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
  • Lee YJ; Department of Emergency Medicine, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
  • Kang S; Department of Emergency Medicine, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea. dr_peace@naver.com.
J Korean Med Sci ; 36(16): e111, 2021 Apr 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1204201
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted various aspects of daily living and has influenced the life of every individual in a unique way. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with high morbidity and mortality; thus, timely treatment is crucial to prevent poor prognosis. Therefore, an immediate emergency department (ED) visit is required; however, no domestic studies have reported the effect of COVID-19 on ED visits by patients with AMI. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the changes in the pattern of ED visits by patients with AMI by comparing visits during the COVID-19 outbreak period to those during two control periods.

METHODS:

This nationwide, retrospective study used registry data of the National Emergency Department Information System. The 'outbreak period' was defined as the period between February 21, 2020 and April 1, 2020, while the 'control period' was defined as the same time period in the preceding two years (2018 and 2019). The primary outcome of our study was the number of patients admitted to the ED owing to AMI during the outbreak and control periods. Secondary outcomes were time from symptom onset to ED visit, length of ED stay, and 30-day mortality following admission.

RESULTS:

During the outbreak period, 401,378 patients visited the ED; this number was lower than that during the control periods (2018 577,548; 2019 598,514). The number of patients with AMI visiting the ED was lower during the outbreak period (2,221) than during 2018 (2,437) and 2019 (2,591).

CONCLUSION:

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a reduction in ED visits by patients with AMI. We assume that this could likely be caused by misinterpretation of AMI symptoms as symptoms of respiratory infection, fear of contracting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, and restrictions in accessing emergency medical care owing to overburdened healthcare facilities. This study sheds light on the fact that healthcare and emergency medical staff members must work towards eliminating hurdles due to this pandemic for patients to receive timely emergency care, which in turn will help curb the growing burden of mortality.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Emergency Medical Services / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 / Myocardial Infarction Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Adult / Aged / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Language: English Journal: J Korean Med Sci Journal subject: Medicine Year: 2021 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Emergency Medical Services / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 / Myocardial Infarction Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Adult / Aged / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Language: English Journal: J Korean Med Sci Journal subject: Medicine Year: 2021 Document Type: Article