Prioritizing cardiovascular surgical care in COVID-19 pandemic: Shall we operate or defer?

J Card Surg. 2020 Oct;35(10):2768-2772. doi: 10.1111/jocs.14864. Epub 2020 Jul 15.

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has affected a large population across the world. Patients with cardiovascular disease have increased morbidity and mortality due to coronavirus disease. The burden over the health care system has to be reduced in this global pandemic to provide optimal care of patients with COVID-19, as well not compromising those who are in need of emergent cardiovascular care.

Methods: There is a very limited data published defining which cardiovascular procedures are to be performed or to be deferred in the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, we have reviewed a few published guidelines regarding cardiovascular surgery in COVID-19 pandemics.

Conclusion: After reviewing a few available guidelines regarding cardiovascular surgery in COVID-19, we conclude to perform only those surgeries which cannot be deferred to a certain period of time, to reduce the burden of the health care system of the country, provide optimal care to patients with COVID-19, and to protect health care workers and cardiovascular patients from COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; cardiac surgery; coronavirus disease; elective cardiovascular procedures; emergency cardiovascular procedures; vascular surgery.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / surgery*
  • Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures / standards*
  • Comorbidity
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / transmission
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious / prevention & control*
  • Elective Surgical Procedures / methods*
  • Humans
  • Pandemics*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / transmission
  • SARS-CoV-2