Latin American survey on the degree of variation in healthcare activity in Interventional Cardiology Services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sub-analysis of the situation in Uruguay

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a reduction in activity has been verified in interventional cardiology. The objective of this survey was to quantify this decrease and the impact on the management of ST-elevation myocardial infarction in Uruguay.
Methods: a telematic survey was carried out in Uruguay, in the context of a Latin American countries survey. Diagnostic catheterizations, coronary and structural interventions were recorded, as well as the perception of STEMI attendance and SARS-CoV-2 involvement of the health care staff. Two periods of 2020 were compared: 1st from February 24th to March 8th (pre COVID-19) and the 2nd from March 23rd to April 5th (COVID-19).
Results: response was obtained from all centers (n=8) of the country. There was a significant decrease in the number of diagnostic procedures (36.1%), coronary interventions (20.3%), structural therapy (88.9%) and PCI in STEMI (37.3%).
Less use of thrombolysis was indicated and a perception of respondents of longer delay to reperfusion. One center reported SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although there was a varied decrease in activity between the different centers, the behavior
was homogeneous.
Conclusions: a significant reduction in healthcare activity was observed during the COVID-19 epidemic and a great decrease in the number of patients treated with STEMI.