Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the emergency management of patients presenting
with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Cardiovascular surgery and interventions, cilt.11, sa.2, ss.73-79, 2024 (TRDizin)

ABSTRACT

Objectives: This study aims to analyze the changes in the emergency management of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)

patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Patients and methods: A total of 474 individuals (375 males, 99 females; mean age: 61.7±12.7 years; range, 22 to 93 years) who presented

to the emergency department with STEMI between March 1, 2019, and March 1, 2021, were included in the study. The impact of the

pandemic on the management of STEMI patients was assessed by comparing the patients in two time periods: the pre-COVID-19

period (n=271) and the COVID-19 pandemic (n=203). Archive records were retrospectively examined to assess the pandemic's impact on

various aspects, including arrival time at the emergency department, consultation duration, time from arrival to percutaneous coronary

intervention, treatment choice, in-hospital mortality rate, and length of inpatient stay.

Results: There was a notable decrease in the proportion of patients arriving within 2 h of symptom onset during the COVID-19 era

(p<0.05). The mean time for STEMI patients to be referred to the cardiology clinic was 15.90±21.97 min. Additionally, the door-to-needle

time was faster during the COVID-19 era compared to the prepandemic period.

Conclusion: Despite the prolonged duration of presentation to the emergency department for patients exhibiting symptoms of STEMI

during the COVID-19 era, there was no extension in the consultation and door-to-needle times for patients diagnosed with STEMI.