Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2025
Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial-Dependent Flow-Mediated Vasodilation of the Brachial Artery in Clinical Research
Published on: October 22, 2014
Temporal Trends in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease Influenced by COVID-19 Pandemic
Karsten Keller1,2,3, Volker H Schmitt1,4, Lukas Martin Alois Hobohm1,2
1Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a 13.2% decrease in hospitalizations for peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients. Treatments like revascularization and amputations also saw significant reductions during the pandemic year.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted healthcare delivery for various diseases.
- Limited data exists on the pandemic's specific effects on hospitalizations for peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospitalizations and treatments for peripheral artery disease (PAD) in Germany.
- To compare PAD patient hospitalizations and interventions in 2019 (pre-pandemic) versus 2020 (pandemic year).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 361,029 hospitalizations for PAD in Germany between January 2019 and December 2020.
- Comparison of hospitalization rates, interventional/surgical treatments, and outcomes between 2019 and 2020.
Main Results:
- Hospitalizations for PAD decreased by 13.2% in 2020 compared to 2019 (168,264 vs. 192,765).
- Peripheral endovascular interventions (-9.9%), surgical revascularizations (-11.4%), and amputations (-4.0%) were reduced in 2020.
- A small percentage (0.4%) of PAD hospitalizations were associated with a COVID-19 diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced hospital admissions for PAD patients.
- There was a notable decrease in revascularization procedures and amputations during the pandemic.
- While case fatality and MACCE rates slightly increased, the primary impact was on reduced healthcare utilization for PAD.
Abstract:
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic influences the health care management of acute and chronic diseases. Data concerning the influence of the pandemic on hospitalizations of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are sparse. Methods: We analysed all patients hospitalized due to PAD between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2020 in Germany. Hospitalizations of PAD patients during the pre-pandemic year 2019 were compared to the pandemic year 2020. Results: Overall, 361,029 hospitalizations of PAD patients in the years 2019 and 2020 (55.4% aged ≥70 years; 36.6% females) were included in this study. In the pre-pandemic year of 2019, a total of 25,501 (13.2%) more hospitalizations due to PAD were detected compared to the COVID-19 pandemic year of 2020 (2019: 192,765 [53.4%] vs. 2020: 168,264 [46.6%], p = 0.065). Overall, in 610 (0.4%) of the hospitalization cases, a COVID-19 infection was diagnosed. Regarding interventional/surgical treatments, total numbers of peripheral endovascular intervention of the lower extremity decreased by 9.9% (83,845 vs. 75,519, p < 0.001), surgical peripheral artery revascularization of the lower extremity by 11.4% (32,447 vs. 28,754, p = 0.041) and amputations by 4.0% (20,612 vs. 19,784, p < 0.001) in 2020 compared to 2019. The case fatality rate (2.6% vs. 2.4%, p < 0.001), as well as MACCE rate (3.4% vs. 3.2%, p < 0.001), were slightly higher during the pandemic year 2020 compared to the pre-pandemic year 2019. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic influenced the number of hospitalizations of PAD patients with a 13.2% reduction in hospital admissions and decreased total numbers of revascularization and amputation treatments.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
01:23Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management
01:30Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:27Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
01:26Peripheral Artery Disease IV: Nursing Management
01:19Assessing Body Temperature - Temporal Artery
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don a fresh pair of gloves to prevent cross-infection and ensure patient safety.
Step 2: Explain the procedure to the patient to establish trust. Clear communication establishes trust with the patient, ensures they understand what to expect, promotes cooperation, and enhances comfort during the procedure.
Step 3: Assess the patient's...