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The globe is currently in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. This pandemic has placed considerable stress on health care resources and providers. This document from the Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology- Association Canadienne de Cardiologie d'intervention, specifically addresses the implications for the care of patients in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. The key principles of this document are to maintain essential interventional cardiovascular care while minimizing risks of COVID-19 to patients and staff and maintaining the overall health care resources. As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, procedures will be increased or reduced based on the current level of restriction to health care services. Although some consistency across the country is desirable, provincial and regional considerations will influence how these recommendations are implemented. We believe the framework and recommendations in this document will provide crucial guidance for clinicians and policy makers on the management of coronary and structural procedures in the CCL as the COVID-19 pandemic escalates and eventually abates., (Copyright © 2020 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Much has been published about the effect of obesity on adverse outcomes after cardiac operations, yet little is known regarding the effect of obesity on intensive care unit (ICU) resource utilization. This study examined the effect of obesity on ICU resource utilization after cardiac operations., Methods: All patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 kg/m 2 or higher who underwent a cardiac surgical procedure between 2006 and 2013 were stratified into the following weight categories: normal (BMI 18.5 to 24.99 kg/m 2 ), preobese (BMI 25 to 29.99 kg/m 2 ), obese class I (BMI 30 to 34.99 kg/m 2 ), obese class II (BMI 35 to 39.99 kg/m 2 ), and obese class III (BMI ≥40 kg/m 2 ). Comparisons between weight categories were done, and the risk-adjusted effect of weight category on prolonged ICU stay, prolonged ventilation, and ICU readmission was determined., Results: Of the 5,365 included patients, 1,948 were obese. Patients with greater obesity experienced longer ICU time, longer ventilation time, and increased ICU readmission. After adjustment, increasing obesity remained independently associated with greater likelihood of prolonged ICU stay (obese class II: odds ratio [OR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.55 to 3.61; obese class III: OR, 4.1; 95% CI, 2.38 to 7.05), prolonged ventilation (obese class III: OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.57 to 7.22), and ICU readmission (obese class II: OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.70 to 5.31; obese class III: OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.32 to 6.36)., Conclusions: Increasing obesity was associated with a significant increase in ICU resource utilization after cardiac operations. Further study is needed to determine the mechanisms underlying this association and how the adverse effects of obesity may be mitigated., (Copyright © 2017 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Numerous studies have examined the effect of geographic place of residence on access to cardiovascular care, but few have examined their effect on outcomes after cardiac operations. This study examined the effect of geographic place of residence on in-hospital and 30-day outcomes after cardiac operations., Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing nonemergency cardiac operations at a single institution between April 2004 and March 2011. Geographic place of residence was defined as the driving distance from the patient's home to the tertiary cardiac care center divided into the following categories: 0 to 50 km, 50 to 100 km, 100 to 150 km, 150 to 200 km, 200 to 250 km, and more than 250 km. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the independent effect of driving distance on in-hospital and 30-day outcomes., Results: The final study population included 4,493 patients, of whom 3,897 (86.7%) had 30-day follow-up. After adjusting for differences among patient groups, no consistent relationship existed between distance and in-hospital outcomes. However, increased distance beyond 100 km was significantly associated with a greater risk of adverse outcomes at 30 days (0 to 50 km: referent; 50 to 100 km: odds ratio, 1.16 [95% confidence interval, 0.83 to 1.62]; 100 to 150 km: 1.32 [1.05 to 1.65], 150 to 200 km: 1.68 [1.33 to 2.11], 200 to 250 km: 1.41 [1.06 to 1.88], and >250 km: 1.30 [1.04 to 1.63])., Conclusions: Patients who live at an increased distance from the tertiary cardiac care center are more likely to have worse 30-day outcomes after cardiac operations. Further study is required to determine the mechanisms underlying this relationship and how such inequalities may be minimized., (Copyright © 2015 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The air medical transport of cardiac patients is a rapidly expanding practice. For various medical, social, and economic indications, patients are being flown longer distances at commercial altitudes, including international and intercontinental flights. There are data supporting the use of short-distance helicopter flights early in the course of a cardiac event for patients needing emergent transfer for percutaneous coronary intervention or aortocoronary bypass. When considering elective long-distance air medical transport of cardiac patients for social or economic reasons, it is necessary to weigh the benefits against the potential risks of flight. A few recent studies suggest that long-distance air medical transport is safe under certain circumstances. Current guidelines for air travel after myocardial infarction do not address the use of medical escorts or air ambulances equipped with intensive care facilities. Further research using larger prospective studies is needed to better define criteria for safe long-distance air medical transport of cardiac patients.