Acute coronary syndromes did not decrease during COVID-19 pandemic in an isolated Greek population
Matthaios Didagelos1, Dimitrios Afendoulis2, Eleni Karlafti3
11st Cardiology Department, AHEPA University General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Insights
Hospital admissions for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) did not decline during the COVID-19 pandemic in a unique Greek island population. This study found no change in ACS incidence or patient outcomes during the lockdown period.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Global reports indicate a decrease in hospital admissions for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Chios, a Greek island, experienced minimal COVID-19 cases during the lockdown, presenting a unique setting to study ACS trends.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare ACS hospital admissions in Chios General Hospital between the COVID-19 lockdown period and the same period in the prior year.
- To evaluate if the pandemic influenced ACS incidence, type, or patient outcomes in an isolated population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of hospital records from Chios General Hospital.
- Comparison of ACS incidence, type, and complications between 26/02/2020–04/05/2020 and 26/02/2019–04/05/2019.
- Inclusion of data on symptom onset to medical contact, hemodynamic status, and left ventricular function.
Main Results:
- ACS hospital admissions per 10,000 inhabitants were 1.72 in 2020 versus 1.03 in 2019 (p = 0.317), showing no statistically significant difference.
- No significant differences were observed in ACS type, time to medical contact, hemodynamic status, left ventricular function, or complications between the two periods.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of acute coronary syndrome did not decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic in this isolated Greek island population.
- Patient prognosis for ACS remained stable, with no worsening of outcomes observed during the pandemic lockdown in this low-COVID-19-impacted community.
Abstract:
Introduction: There are worldwide reports that hospital admissions for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chios is a Greek island with only one confirmed coronavirus case during the lockdown. This study aimed to compare admissions for ACS in Chios General Hospital, Greece, between the COVID-19 lockdown period and the same period in the previous year. Methods: Retrospective record analysis of an isolated insular population referring to the only district hospital on the island. ACS incidence, type, and complications were recorded and compared between 26/02/2020-04/05/2020 and between 26/02/2019-04/05/2019. Results: ACS hospital admissions in 2020 were 1.72/10,000 inhabitants vs. 1.03/10,000 inhabitants in 2019 (p = 0.317). No differences in ACS type, duration from symptom onset to first medical contact, hemodynamic status, left ventricular function at discharge, or complications were recorded. Conclusion: The incidence of ACS did not decrease and the prognosis was not worse during the COVID-19 pandemic in a strictly isolated Greek insular population not overwhelmed by coronavirus cases.
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