Evaluation of mortality attributable to SARS-CoV-2 vaccine administration using national level data from Qatar.

Accurate determination of mortality attributable to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is critical in allaying concerns about their safety. We reviewed every death in Qatar that occurred within 30 days of any SARS-CoV-2 vaccine administration between January 1, 2021 and June 12, 2022. Probability of association with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was determined by four independent trained reviewers using a modified WHO algorithm. Among 6,928,359 doses administered, 138 deaths occurred within 30 days of vaccination; eight had a high probability (1.15/1,000,000 doses), 15 had intermediate probability (2.38/1,000,000 doses), and 112 had low probability or no association with vaccination. The death rate among those with high probability of relationship to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was 0.34/100,000 unique vaccine recipients, while death rate among those with either high or intermediate probability of relationship to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was 0.98/100,000 unique vaccine recipients. In conclusion, deaths attributable to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination are extremely rare and lower than the overall crude mortality rate in Qatar.

A Comparative Study of Safety Outcomes of Sodium Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors and Loop Diuretics Among Diabetic Patients Using Real-world Data.

Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and loop diuretics can cause volume depletion. However, the long-term safety of the concurrent use of both agents has not been widely evaluated. We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study to evaluate the safety of SGLT2 inhibitors with loop diuretics vs SGLT2 inhibitors alone among diabetic patients. The primary endpoint was a composite of volume-depletion adverse events at 1 month and 12 months. Of the 400 patients included, 98 received SGLT2 inhibitors with a loop diuretic and 302 received SGLT2 inhibitors alone. The concurrent use of SGLT2 inhibitors and loop diuretics was tolerated at 1 month; however, it resulted in a significant increase in volume-depletion events at 12 months (10.2% vs 1.7%; aHR = 7.03, 95% CI (1.80-27.37), P-value = 0.005). In conclusion, the long-term concurrent use of SGLT2 inhibitors and loop diuretics increases the risk of volume depletion, warranting frequent monitoring.

The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Volume, Time to Presentation, and Door-to-Balloon Time: A Report from a High-Volume Statewide Primary Percutaneous Intervention Program.

BACKGROUND: The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak has affected ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) care worldwide. Reports from China, Europa, and North America showed a significant decline in STEMI volume with a simultaneous increase in time from symptoms to hospital presentation. AIM: The aim of the study was to study the effect of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak on primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) volume performed for STEMI, symptom onset to hospital presentation time (symptom-to-door [S2D]), and door-to-balloon time (D2B) at the main nationwide PPCI center in Qatar. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of prospectively collected quality improvement cardiac catheterization data in Qatar was performed. PPCI volume and S2D and D2B time during the outbreak from March 9, 2020, to May 14, 2020, were compared with that of the same period from the prior year and the period immediately preceding the outbreak. RESULTS: Since the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Qatar, 137 PPCI procedures were performed. There was a 40% reduction in the volume of PPCI when compared with the period immediately preceding the outbreak and 16% reduction in volume when compared with that of the same period in 2019. The median S2D time was 115 min (interquartile range [IQR: 124]), which was not statistically different from that of the preceding period or the same period in 2019. D2B time during the outbreak increased by an average of 7 min when compared with that of the same period preceding the outbreak (median: 47 min [IQR: 28] during the outbreak vs. median: 40 min [IQR: 21] during the preceding period, P = 0.016). CONCLUSION: In a statewide PPCI program in Qatar, we observed a mild reduction in PPCI cases during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak (16% when compared with the same period in 2019), with a modest increase in D2B time. PPCI can be performed effectively during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak at very high-volume centers with the adoption of strict infection control measures. With proper training and monitoring, both target D2B and hospital staff safety can be achieved.