Recommendations for the organization of electrophysiology and cardiac pacing services during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving public health emergency that has largely impacted the provision of healthcare services around the world. The challenge for electrophysiology teams is double; on one side preventing disease spread by limiting all nonessential face-to-face interactions, but at the same time ensuring continued care for patients who need it. These guidelines contain recommendations regarding triaging in order to define what procedures, device checks and clinic visits can be postponed during the pandemic. We also discuss best practices to protect patients and healthcare workers and provide guidance for the management of COVID-19 patients with arrhythmic conditions.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter ablation rates. The analysis of nearly 5 million Polish population

“…Interestingly, in the past, most patients had already undergone cardioversion (P < 0.01) or ablation, regardless of the prior invasive treatment (P < 0.001) (Table S1). This treatment strategy was in line with the current recommendations of cardiology societies [2,11,12].…”

Assessment of health equity consideration in masking/PPE policies to contain COVID-19 using PROGRESS-plus framework: a systematic review

“…There were no policy documents identified from Eastern Europe, Africa and Middle Eastern regions in this review. There were 29 policy documents [ 25 , 34 , 41 , 59 , 75 , 125 , 126 , 133 , 134 , 140 , 141 , 146 , 155 , 157 , 166 , 177 , 178 , 208 – 219 ] that were not targeted towards a specific nation or region but were global in nature.…”

“…Second, the strength of rationale to support inclusion of “PROGRESS-plus” factor in a policy document was analyzed. Of all the policy documents having equity component, 71 policy documents (37.37%) explicitly provided the evidence for inclusion of PROGRESS-Plus component [ 25 , 27 , 28 , 34 , 36 – 38 , 41 , 42 , 49 , 58 – 61 , 63 , 64 , 66 , 71 , 74 – 77 , 82 , 86 , 91 – 93 , 104 – 106 , 111 , 112 , 114 , 121 , 122 , 124 , 126 , 127 , 130 , 131 , 134 – 137 , 144 , 146 , 148 , 155 , 159 , 160 , 166 , 167 , 171 , 176 , 177 , 180 , 182 , 185 , 190 , 192 , 193 , 197 , 201 , 206 – 208 , 226 , 227 , 231 , 233 , 234 ] whereas rest did not provide any rationale for inclusion of PROGRESS-Plus component [ 23 , 26 , 29 – ...…”

“…Among these 71 policy documents, 47 were conducted in HIC [ 28 , 37 , 38 , 42 , 49 , 58 , 60 , 61 , 63 , 71 , 74 , 76 , 77 , 82 , 86 , 91 – 93 , 104 – 106 , 112 , 121 , 122 , 124 , 127 , 130 , 135 , 137 , 144 , 148 , 159 , 167 , 171 , 176 , 180 , 182 , 185 , 190 , 192 , 193 , 197 , 201 , 206 , 207 , 226 , 233 ], 10 were conducted in LMIC [ 27 , 36 , 64 , 111 , 114 , 136 , 160 , 227 , 231 , 234 ] and 14 were conducted in both HIC and LMIC [ 25 , 34 , 41 , 59 , 66 , 75 , 126 , 131 , 134 , 146 , 155 , 166 , 177 ...…”

Prospective implementation of a same-day discharge protocol for catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

“…During the current COVID-19 pandemic, several publications are providing guidance for clinicians and institutions to rebuild safe electrophysiological care [13][14][15]. A joint guidance from the Heart Rhythm Society, the American Heart Association, and a committee within the American College of Cardiology recommends consideration of same-day discharge, as clinically appropriate, to minimize patient exposure [13].…”