Impact of COVID-19 on Management Strategies for Coronary and Structural Heart Disease Interventions

Abstract

Purpose of Review The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges globally, with significant strain on the healthcare system in the United States and worldwide. In this article, we review the impact of COVID-19 on percutaneous coronary interventions and structural heart disease practices, as well as the impact of the pandemic on related clinical research and trials. We also discuss the consensus recommendations from the scientific societies and suggest potential solutions and strategies to overcome some of these challenges. Findings With the limited resources and significant burden on the healthcare system during the pandemic, changes have evolved in practice to provide care to the highest risk patients while minimizing unnecessary exposure during elective surgical or transcatheter procedures. Summary The COVID-19 crisis has significantly impacted the management of patients with acute coronary syndromes, chronic coronary syndromes, and structural heart disease.

National Trends of Structural Heart Disease Interventions from 2016 to 2020 in the United States and the Associated Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Early data on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic showed a decline in procedural rates in the US and globally 3 . Khalili et al reported relative reduction of 58% in SHD interventions during COVID 19 in a multicenter study 8 .…”

“…To provide advanced cardiac care to patients during the pandemic, we speculate institutions adapted and successfully triaged patients for procedures. The decline of SHD procedure rates have been reported in several studies in the US and globally 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 . However, nationwide analysis of trends in SHD interventions particularly following the initial phase of the pandemic has not been reported.…”

Impact of Virtual Interviewing on Geographic Placement for Cardiology Fellowship Recruitment

“…The way that each individual program and medical center adjusted to COVID surges, including imaging and procedural volume variation, may have played a role in how applicants perceived the programs they interviewed at for their desired training site. 22 , 23 …”