Introduction and
Objectives: The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has been an unmatched challenge to global healthcare . Although the majority of patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) may not be infected with COVID-19, the quarantine and public health emergency measures may have affected this particular high risk group . The objective of this study is to assess the impact of the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic on ACS admissions and clinical course, in a tertiary care hospital in Portugal ’ s most affected region.Methods: This retrospective, case-control study included patients admitted with a diagnosis of ACS during March and April 2020 (pandemic group) and in the same period in2019 (control group). Clinical course and complications were also assessed.
Results: During the pandemic, there were fewer ACS admissions but presentation was more severe, with a larger proportion of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarctions (54.9% vs. 38.8%, p= 0.047), higher maximum troponin levels and greater prevalence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction at discharge (58.0% vs. 35.0%, p= 0.01). In this population, although not statistically significant, it was observed a delay between the onset of symptoms and percutaneous coronary intervention, which may traduce a deferred search for urgent medical care during the pandemic.Conclusion: The lockdown phase of COVID-19 pandemic was associated with fewer and more severe ACS in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Portugal ’ s most affected region by the pandemic.