Covid‐19 positivity affects outcome of cardiac surgical patients

INTRODUCTION: In this report we describe the clinical presentation, laboratory findings and outcomes of four patients that were referred for urgent cardiothoracic intervention and tested positive for COVID-19. METHODS: The St. Elizabeth's Medical Center Institutional Review Board exempted the study from review (waived review). In each case, verbal informed consent was obtained by the study participant or health care proxy. RESULTS: The majority of the patients undergoing surgery had low Society of Thoracic Surgeons score and uneventful operating time. The mortality was very high and driven primarily by the viral syndrome. Laboratory markers that have been associated with disease severity in the general population were also prognostic in our population. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that these patients have very high mortality, whereas prevention and preoperative screening is required in preventing nosocomial spreading of the disease.