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CT coronary angiography and COVID-19: inpatient use in acute chest pain service.

Authors :
Cronin M
Wheen P
Armstrong R
Kumar R
McMahon A
White M
Sheehy N
McMahon G
Murphy RT
Daly C
Source :
Open heart [Open Heart] 2021 Mar; Vol. 8 (1).
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Objectives: CT coronary angiography (CTCA) is a well-validated clinical tool in the evaluation of chest pain. In our institution, CTCA availability was increased in January 2020, and subsequently, expanded further to replace all exercise testing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our objective was to assess the impact of increased utilisation of CTCA on length of stay in patients presenting with chest pain in the prepandemic era and during the COVID-19 pandemic.<br />Methods: Study design was retrospective. Patients referred for cardiology review between October 2019 and May 2020 with chest pain and/or dyspnoea were broken into three cohorts: a baseline cohort, a cohort with increased CTCA availability and a cohort with increased CTCA availability, but after the national lockdown due to COVID-19. Coronary angiography and revascularisation, length of stay and 30-day adverse outcomes were assessed.<br />Results: 513 patients (35.3% female) presented over cohorts 1 (n=179), 2 (n=182), and 3 (n=153). CTCA use increased from 7.8% overall in cohort 1% to 20.4% in cohort 3. Overall length of stay for the patients undergoing CTCA decreased from a median of 4.2 days in cohort 1 to 2.5 days in cohort 3, with no increase in 30 days adverse outcomes. Invasive coronary angiogram rates were 45.8%, 39% and 34.2% across the cohorts. 29.6% underwent revascularisation in cohort 1, 15.9% in cohort 2 and to 16.4% in cohort 3.<br />Conclusions: Increased CTCA availability was associated with a significantly reduced length of stay both pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 lockdown, without any increase in 30-day adverse outcomes.<br />Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.<br /> (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2053-3624
Volume :
8
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Open heart
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
33731419
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1136/openhrt-2020-001548