Reduction of hospitalizations for myocardial infarction in Italy in the COVID-19 era
- Authors: De Rosa S.; Spaccarotella C.; Basso C.; Calabro M.P.; Curcio A.; Filardi P.P.; Mancone M.; Mercuro G.; Muscoli S.; Nodari S.; Pedrinelli R.; Sinagra G.; Indolfi C.; Angelini F.; Barilla F.; Bartorelli A.; Benedetto F.; Bernabo P.; Bolognese L.; Briani M.; Cacciavillani L.; Calabrese A.; Calabro P.; Caliendo L.; Calo L.; Casella G.; Casu G.; Cavallini C.; Ciampi Q.; Ciccone M.; Comito M.; Corrada E.; Crea F.; D'Andrea A.; D'Urbano M.; De Caterina R.; De Ferrari G.; De Ponti R.; Della Mattia A.; DI Mario C.; Donnazzan L.; Esposito G.; Fedele F.; Ferraro A.; Galasso G.; Galie N.; Gnecchi M.; Golino P.; Golia B.; Guarini P.; Indolfi C.; Leonardi S.; Locuratolo N.; Luzza F.; Manganiello V.; Francesca Marchetti M.; Marenzi G.; Margonato A.; Meloni L.; Metra M.; Milo M.; Mongiardo A.; Monzo L.; Morisco C.; Nodari S.; Novo G.; Pancaldi S.; Parollo M.; Paterno G.; Patti G.; Priori S.; Ravera A.; Giuseppe Rebuzzi A.; Rossi M.; Scherillo M.; Semprini F.; Senni M.; Sibilio G.; Sinagra G.; Siviglia M.; Tamburino C.; Tortorici G.; Versace F.; Villari B.; Volpe M.
- Publication year: 2020
- Type: Articolo in rivista
- OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/510666
Abstract
Aims: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient admissions to Italian cardiac care units (CCUs). Methods and Results: We conducted a multicentre, observational, nationwide survey to collect data on admissions for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) at Italian CCUs throughout a 1 week period during the COVID-19 outbreak, compared with the equivalent week in 2019. We observed a 48.4% reduction in admissions for AMI compared with the equivalent week in 2019 (P < 0.001). The reduction was significant for both ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI; 26.5%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 21.7-32.3; P = 0.009] and non-STEMI (NSTEMI; 65.1%, 95% CI 60.3-70.3; P < 0.001). Among STEMIs, the reduction was higher for women (41.2%; P = 0.011) than men (17.8%; P = 0.191). A similar reduction in AMI admissions was registered in North Italy (52.1%), Central Italy (59.3%), and South Italy (52.1%). The STEMI case fatality rate during the pandemic was substantially increased compared with 2019 [risk ratio (RR) = 3.3, 95% CI 1.7-6.6; P < 0.001]. A parallel increase in complications was also registered (RR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.8; P = 0.009). Conclusion: Admissions for AMI were significantly reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic across Italy, with a parallel increase in fatality and complication rates. This constitutes a serious social issue, demanding attention by the scientific and healthcare communities and public regulatory agencies.