No Reduction of ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Admission in Taiwan During Coronavirus Pandemic

Incidence and Demographic Trends for Acute Coronary Syndrome in a Non-Epidemic Area During the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic in Japan ― A 2-Institutional Observational Study ―

“… 3 – 5 Although a decreasing trend in the incidence of STEMI was observed in non-epidemic areas in Western countries, 4 , 7 a study from a non-epidemic area in Asia showed that there was no reduction in the incidence of STEMI. 8 The previous studies have also shown that delays in contacting medical services after symptom onset were commonly observed in areas where COVID-19 was epidemic and non-epidemic. 4 , 7 , 8 With regard to our data, there was no reduction in the incidence of ACS in the non-epidemic area in Japan.…”

“… 8 The previous studies have also shown that delays in contacting medical services after symptom onset were commonly observed in areas where COVID-19 was epidemic and non-epidemic. 4 , 7 , 8 With regard to our data, there was no reduction in the incidence of ACS in the non-epidemic area in Japan. However, we also showed the proportion of patients with delayed hospitalization (≥24 h delay after symptom onset) was significantly increased during the pandemic in Japan compared with prepandemic times.…”

“… 4 , 6 , 7 Even in Taiwan, where COVID-19 was non-epidemic, delays in admission of patients with AMI were observed; however, the incidence of AMI in Taiwan in 2020 was comparable to that reported in previous years. 8 In Japan, although a nationwide survey showed that performance of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was preserved in most institutions during the pandemic, 9 data regarding the incidence and demographics of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are very scant. We investigated the incidence of ACS in Izumo City (rural Japan) where COVID-19 was non-epidemic during the pandemic (January–July 2020) and compared it with the incidence in the past 5 years (2015–2019).…”

Reply to letter to the editor: Revascularization strategy in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction amid COVID-19 pandemic

“…Recently, a nationwide survey on 40 major primary PCI hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan showed that primary PCI was still the choice of reperfusion therapy and none of the hospitals used fibrinolytics. 4 Overall, cardiologists in 9 out of the 40 hospitals (22.5%) had experiences of wearing personal protective equipment to perform PCI for suspected cases with COVID-19 in Taiwan. 4 The data indicated that consensus or guideline is a general guidance but not strict regulation about what the clinicians should do.…”

“… 4 Overall, cardiologists in 9 out of the 40 hospitals (22.5%) had experiences of wearing personal protective equipment to perform PCI for suspected cases with COVID-19 in Taiwan. 4 The data indicated that consensus or guideline is a general guidance but not strict regulation about what the clinicians should do. Adequate medical decision still should be determined individually based on the clinicians' judgment and overall situation.…”