Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the practice of cardiac electrophysiology in Latin America: A Survey of the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society

Abstract

Introduction: at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictive clinical guidelines were implemented, including Electrophysiology Services (EFS).

Objectives: analyze the healthcare activity and to know the situation of the EFS in Latin America two months after the restrictions began.

Method: descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional observational study, using a survey of electrophysiologists in March / 2020. The clinical and invasive activity carried out before and during the pandemic was compared.

Results: 147 surveys were included, from 74 cities in 18 Latin American countries. Weekly clinical events were reduced from 75 (45/127) to 20 (10/40) (p <0.001), they fell 71%. Monthly invasive procedures were reduced from 26 (13/39) to 4 (2/9) (p <0.001), down 77%. Forty-nine percent surveyed worked in ?3 healthcare centers and 89% shared a laboratory with a hemodynamic service. Hospital bed occupancy was low 37%, intermediate 28% and high 35%. Thirty percent referred a doctor from their team was quarantined for infection / contact. Fifty-three percent reported that no screening test was done on the patients prior to the procedures and 77% on the staff. Most perceived difficulties as important or very important, but 63% were considering reopening to normal functioning.

Conclusion: There was a significant reduction in clinical and invasive activity. Most did not have high bed occupancy. Respondents worked in various centers and in hemodynamic rooms. Prevention measures had not yet been fully implemented yet. There was a perception that in a short time normality would return.