Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Pooled analysis of WHO Surgical Safety Checklist use and mortality after emergency laparotomy

Background The World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist has fostered safe practice for 10 years, yet its place in emergency surgery has not been assessed on a global scale. The aim of this study was to evaluate reported checklist use in emergency settings and examine the relationship with perioperative mortality in patients who had emergency laparotomy. Methods In two multinational cohort studies, adults undergoing emergency laparotomy were compared with those having elective gastrointestinal surgery. Relationships between reported checklist use and mortality were determined using multivariable logistic regression and bootstrapped simulation. Results Of 12 296 patients included from 76 countries, 4843 underwent emergency laparotomy. After adjusting for patient and disease factors, checklist use before emergency laparotomy was more common in countries with a high Human Development Index (HDI) (2455 of 2741, 89.6 per cent) compared with that in countries with a middle (753 of 1242, 60.6 per cent; odds ratio (OR) 0.17, 95 per cent c.i. 0.14 to 0.21, P <0001) or low (363 of 860, 422 per cent; OR 008, 007 to 010, P <0.001) HDI. Checklist use was less common in elective surgery than for emergency laparotomy in high-HDI countries (risk difference -94 (95 per cent c.i. -11.9 to -6.9) per cent; P <0001), but the relationship was reversed in low-HDI countries (+121 (+7.0 to +173) per cent; P <0001). In multivariable models, checklist use was associated with a lower 30-day perioperative mortality (OR 0.60, 0.50 to 073; P <0.001). The greatest absolute benefit was seen for emergency surgery in low- and middle-HDI countries. Conclusion Checklist use in emergency laparotomy was associated with a significantly lower perioperative mortality rate. Checklist use in low-HDI countries was half that in high-HDI countries.Peer reviewe

Global variation in anastomosis and end colostomy formation following left-sided colorectal resection

Background End colostomy rates following colorectal resection vary across institutions in high-income settings, being influenced by patient, disease, surgeon and system factors. This study aimed to assess global variation in end colostomy rates after left-sided colorectal resection. Methods This study comprised an analysis of GlobalSurg-1 and -2 international, prospective, observational cohort studies (2014, 2016), including consecutive adult patients undergoing elective or emergency left-sided colorectal resection within discrete 2-week windows. Countries were grouped into high-, middle- and low-income tertiles according to the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI). Factors associated with colostomy formation versus primary anastomosis were explored using a multilevel, multivariable logistic regression model. Results In total, 1635 patients from 242 hospitals in 57 countries undergoing left-sided colorectal resection were included: 113 (6·9 per cent) from low-HDI, 254 (15·5 per cent) from middle-HDI and 1268 (77·6 per cent) from high-HDI countries. There was a higher proportion of patients with perforated disease (57·5, 40·9 and 35·4 per cent; P < 0·001) and subsequent use of end colostomy (52·2, 24·8 and 18·9 per cent; P < 0·001) in low- compared with middle- and high-HDI settings. The association with colostomy use in low-HDI settings persisted (odds ratio (OR) 3·20, 95 per cent c.i. 1·35 to 7·57; P = 0·008) after risk adjustment for malignant disease (OR 2·34, 1·65 to 3·32; P < 0·001), emergency surgery (OR 4·08, 2·73 to 6·10; P < 0·001), time to operation at least 48 h (OR 1·99, 1·28 to 3·09; P = 0·002) and disease perforation (OR 4·00, 2·81 to 5·69; P < 0·001). Conclusion Global differences existed in the proportion of patients receiving end stomas after left-sided colorectal resection based on income, which went beyond case mix alone

Artroplastia total do quadril não cimentada em pacientes com artrite reumatóide Uncemented total hip arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJETIVO: Analisar os resultados clínico-funcional e radiográfico das artroplastias totais do quadril não cimentadas em pacientes com artrite reumatóide. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo de 24 pacientes (28 quadris) portadores de artrite reumatóide submetidos à artroplastia total do quadril, utilizando-se a prótese femoral não cimentada Secur Fit Osteonics®, com seguimento mínimo de dois anos. Clinicamente, os pacientes foram avaliados utilizando os critérios de Merle D'Aubigné, e os critérios de Engh, na avaliação radiográfica. RESULTADOS: O tempo médio de seguimento foi de 5,6 anos (dois anos a oito anos e 11 meses). Clinicamente, resultados bons e excelentes foram observados em 22 pacientes, com destaque para a melhora do parâmetro dor. Não foi evidenciado qualquer caso de afrouxamento. Complicações foram observadas em dois casos, um paciente apresentou trombose venosa profunda (TVP), comprovada com doppler, e um caso de fratura peroperatória distal ao calcar, tratada com cerclagem, sem repercussão na qualidade dos resultados clínico e radiográfico do paciente. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados sugerem, após seguimento médio de 5,6 anos, que a artroplastia total do quadril não cimentada pode ser opção satisfatória nas coxartroses de pacientes portadores de artrite reumatóide.<br>OBJECTIVE: To analyze clinical, functional, and radiographic results of uncemented total hip arthroplasties in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Retrospective study of 24 patients (28 hips) with rheumatoid arthritis submitted to total hip arthroplasty, using uncemented femoral prosthesis Secur Fit Osteonics®, with minimum follow-up of two years. The patients were clinically evaluated using the Merle D'Aubigné criteria and the Engh criteria in radiographic evaluation. RESULTS: Mean follow-up time was 5.6 years (two years to eight years and 11 months). Clinically, good and excellent results were observed in 22 patients, with emphasis on pain relief. No case of loosening was seen. Two cases had complications: one patient had deep venous thrombosis (DVT), confirmed by doppler, and one case of fracture during surgery, distal to the calcar bone, treated with cerclage, with no repercussion in the quality of clinical and radiographic results of this patient. CONCLUSION: After a mean follow-up of 5.6 years, results show that uncemented total hip arthroplasty may be a satisfactory option in coxoarthroses of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Osteotomia triplanar no tratamento do escorregamento epifisário proximal do fêmur

OBJETIVO: Avaliar clínica e radiograficamente os resultados da osteotomia triplanar intertrocantérica no tratamento dos pacientes com escorregamento epifisário proximal do fêmur crônico. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados retrospectivamente 25 quadris, de 23 pacientes submetidos à osteotomia triplanar intertrocantérica no período de 1987 a 2003, que apresentavam escorregamento epifisário proximal do fêmur crônico (EEPF). Dezesseis pacientes eram do sexo masculino e sete do feminino, com média de idade de 14 anos e um mês, que tiveram seguimento clínico e radiológico médio de nove anos e três meses. A cirurgia foi realizada em pacientes com escorregamento moderado ou grave segundo a escala de Southwick (média de 57º). RESULTADOS: A classificação clínica e radiológica de Southwick foi utilizada na avaliação dos resultados e obtiveram-se 84% de resultados excelentes e bons nos critérios clínicos dor e função e 72% de resultados excelentes e bons no critério radiológico, com avaliação final de 76% de resultados excelentes e bons. Dos quatro resultados ruins verificados, dois apresentaram condrólise e dois evoluíram com degeneração articular. Não foi observado qualquer caso de necrose avascular. CONCLUSÃO: A osteotomia tridimensional intertrocantérica é boa opção de tratamento para os casos de EEPF com deslizamento maior de 30º, com resultados clínicos e radiográficos bons e excelentes em 76% dos pacientes

Evaluation of the fixation of the trabecular metal wedge in patients undergoing revision of total hip arthroplasty

Objective:this study aimed to evaluate the fixation of the trabecular metal wedge in patients undergoing revision of total hip arthroplasty.Methods:twenty-three cases with minimum grading of Paprosky II-B that were operated between July 2008 and February 2013 were evaluated. These cases were evaluated based on radiographs before the operation, immediately after the operation and later on after the operation. Loss of fixation was defined as a change in the abduction angle of the component greater than 10° or any mobilization greater than 6 mm.Results:it was found that there was 100% fixation of the acetabula after a mean of 29.5 months. One case underwent removal of the implanted components due to infection.Conclusions:there is still no consensus regarding the best option for reconstructing hips with bone loss. However, revision using a trabecular metal wedge has presented excellent short-and medium-term results. This qualifies it as an important tool for achieving a fixed and stable acetabular component

Reduction of cardiac imaging tests during the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of Italy. Findings from the IAEA Non-invasive Cardiology Protocol Survey on COVID-19 (INCAPS COVID)

Background: In early 2020, COVID-19 massively hit Italy, earlier and harder than any other European country. This caused a series of strict containment measures, aimed at blocking the spread of the pandemic. Healthcare delivery was also affected when resources were diverted towards care of COVID-19 patients, including intensive care wards. Aim of the study: The aim is assessing the impact of COVID-19 on cardiac imaging in Italy, compare to the Rest of Europe (RoE) and the World (RoW). Methods: A global survey was conducted in May–June 2020 worldwide, through a questionnaire distributed online. The survey covered three periods: March and April 2020, and March 2019. Data from 52 Italian centres, a subset of the 909 participating centres from 108 countries, were analyzed. Results: In Italy, volumes decreased by 67% in March 2020, compared to March 2019, as opposed to a significantly lower decrease (p &lt; 0.001) in RoE and RoW (41% and 40%, respectively). A further decrease from March 2020 to April 2020 summed up to 76% for the North, 77% for the Centre and 86% for the South. When compared to the RoE and RoW, this further decrease from March 2020 to April 2020 in Italy was significantly less (p = 0.005), most likely reflecting the earlier effects of the containment measures in Italy, taken earlier than anywhere else in the West. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic massively hit Italy and caused a disruption of healthcare services, including cardiac imaging studies. This raises concern about the medium- and long-term consequences for the high number of patients who were denied timely diagnoses and the subsequent lifesaving therapies and procedures

International Impact of COVID-19 on the Diagnosis of Heart Disease

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has adversely affected diagnosis and treatment of noncommunicable diseases. Its effects on delivery of diagnostic care for cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death worldwide, have not been quantified. Objectives: The study sought to assess COVID-19's impact on global cardiovascular diagnostic procedural volumes and safety practices. Methods: The International Atomic Energy Agency conducted a worldwide survey assessing alterations in cardiovascular procedure volumes and safety practices resulting from COVID-19. Noninvasive and invasive cardiac testing volumes were obtained from participating sites for March and April 2020 and compared with those from March 2019. Availability of personal protective equipment and pandemic-related testing practice changes were ascertained. Results: Surveys were submitted from 909 inpatient and outpatient centers performing cardiac diagnostic procedures, in 108 countries. Procedure volumes decreased 42% from March 2019 to March 2020, and 64% from March 2019 to April 2020. Transthoracic echocardiography decreased by 59%, transesophageal echocardiography 76%, and stress tests 78%, which varied between stress modalities. Coronary angiography (invasive or computed tomography) decreased 55% (p &lt; 0.001 for each procedure). In multivariable regression, significantly greater reduction in procedures occurred for centers in countries with lower gross domestic product. Location in a low-income and lower–middle-income country was associated with an additional 22% reduction in cardiac procedures and less availability of personal protective equipment and telehealth. Conclusions: COVID-19 was associated with a significant and abrupt reduction in cardiovascular diagnostic testing across the globe, especially affecting the world's economically challenged. Further study of cardiovascular outcomes and COVID-19–related changes in care delivery is warranted