Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Prolongation of the Management of Myocardial Infarctions Seen Late: A Cross-Sectional Study of 25 Cases Collected in the Cardiology Department of the Aristide Le Dantec Hospital in Dakar (Senegal)

Abstract

Background: Timely management determines the prognosis of patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome with persistent ST-segment elevation (STEMI). Coronavirus COVID-19 appeared in China, in Wuhan in December 2019, which has spread at a lightning speed across the planet earth, becoming a pandemic. Senegal, as well as countries around the world, has also been affected by this pandemic, which has had a strong impact on all its sectors of activity, particularly the health system. The objective of this study was to identify and evaluate the factors that increase the time required to treat myocardial infarctions, received late at Hôpital Aristide le Dantec and to assess the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on these delays. Results: A total of 25 patients were included: 17 patients in pre-pandemic period and 8 patients in pandemic period. The predominance was male with a sex ratio of 2.5. The mean age was 59.20 years. Hypertension was the leading risk factor with a prevalence of 60% followed by sedentary lifestyle (48%). Typical chest pain was the most frequent clinical symptom found on admission (80%) followed by nausea and vomiting (40%). The first medical contact took place in a hospital in most patients (44%) and was made by a general practitioner (64%).