Mapping the recovery of cardiac services during the second year of COVID- 19 pandemic in Iraq

ABSTRACT

Background/Introduction: Earlier studies reported how significantly COVID-19 impacted the cardiology services globally. Many countries are surfing subsequent waves of COVID-19, yet, there is no global data in general nor from Iraq in particular regarding the extent of return of cardiac services to normal during the second year of the pandemic. Purpose: To investigate the rate of change in cardiac services during the second year of the pandemic in Iraq. Methods: A 23- item online survey was sent via social media to healthcare professionals who were involved in providing cardiac services. The survey focused on the rate of changes in non-invasive and invasive cardiac services in 2021 compared with 2020 and the type of PPE currently used by participants. It also assessed the academic achievements of respondents during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic era. Results: Thirty-two healthcare professionals responded, 15.6% were women, 15.6% work in COVID-19 designated hospitals, 81.3% were interventional cardiologists, 9.4% were clinical cardiologists and 9.3% were pharmacists. Respondents were FITs in 54.3%. Transthoracic echocardiography and hospital admissions were the most reported cardiac services returning to the prepandemic rate of 25 and 18.8%, respectively. Telemedicine is used by 56.3% in outpatient consultations. Vaccine received by 93.8%, most commonly used PPE was a surgical mask (71.88%). Compared to pre-pandemic, no change in the number of academic publications was recorded in 37.5% while 46.9% reported a decline in their contribution to conferences during a pandemic, and 12.5% published COVID-19 related research..