Results of the COVID-19 survey on the impact on cardiovascular care. National Infarction Registry: ARGEN IAM-ST

Abstract

Introduction: The pandemic declared by the WHO for the SARS CoV2 virus led Argentina to initiating a mandatory quarantine on March 19th, 2020. Due to this, the health system prepares the care for COVID-19 cases, but the impact in this scenario on other prevalent pathologies such as cardiovascular ones, is unknown. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted by telephone to the centers participating in the ARGEN-IAM-ST registry. The questionnaire was developed mainly to inquire
about the institutional organization, ambulatory care, critical care hospitalization and health personnel infected with SARS-CoV2.
Results: There were 80 centers surveyed, 55% of them public, 97% with critical care service. There was a crisis committee constituted for the pandemic, by 91% of the institutions. Outpatient care measures were taken in 65% of the centers to comply with social distancing. The admission of patients with cardiovascular pathologies in critical care units was reduced for 89% and the magnitude of the drop averaged 57% (SD ± 18). In 19 centers (24%), the institution's health personnel infected with SARS-Cov2 were recorded.
Conclusion: A high percentage of centers participating in the continuous ARGEN-IAM-ST registry created crisis committees to reorganize care; and almost two thirds of them took measures for outpatient follow-up; and there has been a significant drop in the occupancy of beds in critical units for cardiovascular patients.