Analysis of the restoration of cardiology diagnostics scope in the Russian Federation during the COVID-19 pandemic: results of the Russian segment of the INCAPS COVID 2 study under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency

Aim. To assess the changes in cardiology diagnostics scope in the Russian Federation during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Material and methods. In an online survey organized by the Division of Human Health of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), including questions about changes in the workflow of diagnostic laboratories and the scope of cardiac diagnostics from March 2019 (pre-pandemic) to April 2020 (first wave of the pandemic) and April 2021 (recovery stage), 15 Russian medical centers from 5 cities took part.Results. The decrease in the diagnostics scope by April 2020 by 59,3% compared to March 2019, by April 2021, stopped and was replaced by growth (+7,1%, the recovery rate, 112,1%). The greatest increase was in routine examinations, such as echocardiography (+11,6%), stress echocardiography (+18,7%), stress single photon emission computed tomography (+9,7%), and to a lesser extent resting computed tomography angiography (+7,0%) and magnetic resonance imaging (+6,6%). The performance of stress electrocardiography, stress magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography for the diagnosis of endocarditis in April 2021 compared to March 2019 decreased by 10,3%, 63,2% and 62,5%, respectively.Conclusion. Due to the resumption of patient admissions for cardiac examinations during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with the anti-epidemic measures taken and certain changes in the workflow, there has been a recovery in the diagnostics scope in most of the included centers

Impact of the first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the diagnosis of heart disease in the Russian Federation: results from the Russian segment of the IAEA INCAPS COVID study

Aim. To assess the impact of the first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the diagnosis of heart disease in the Russian Federation.Material and methods. Fifteen Russian medical centers from 5 cities took part in an online survey organized by the Division of Human Health of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), containing questions regarding alterations in cardiovascular procedure volumes resulting from COVID-19 in March-April 2020.Results. A number of outpatients undergoing cardiac diagnostic procedures was noted in 80% of clinics. Cardiovascular procedure volumes in the period from March 2019 to March 2020 in general decreased by 9,5%, and from March 2019 to April 2020, by 56,5%. Stress electrocardiography decreased by 38,4%, stress echocardiography by 72,5%, stress single-photon emission computed tomography by 66,9%, computed tomography angiography by 49,7%, magnetic resonance imaging by 42,7%, invasive coronary angiography by 40,7%. The decrease in diagnostic procedure volumes in selected regions (Tomsk Oblast, Kemerovo Oblast, Tatarstan) was not so pronounced compared to Moscow and St. Petersburg (-20,7%, -75,2%, -93,8% in April 2020, respectively, p<0,001).Conclusion. The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic caused a sharp decrease in the number of diagnostic cardiac procedures in Russia. This has potential longterm implications for patients with cardiovascular disease. Understanding these implications can help guide diagnostic strategies during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and minimize the future losses