Effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on catheterization laboratory activity in Azadi Heart Center, Duhok, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a remarkable impact on healthcare systems globally, and it has challenged patients, healthcare personnel, healthcare systems, and the general population under serious threats. Aim: The aim was to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on catheterization laboratory activity in Azadi Heart Center, Duhok, Iraq. Materials and Methods: All data of consecutive patients visiting Azadi Heart Center for Cardiac Intervention (coronary angiography, congenital intervention, and cardiac device implantation) in two calendar years period (2019 and 2020) were collected, compared, and studied to explore the effect of the pandemic on catheterization laboratories activity during the peak of the pandemic in our region. Results: A significant decrease in all cardiac procedures and interventions was detected except for emergency percutaneous coronary intervention, and the total number of procedures performed between January 1 and December 31, 2020 reduced by one-third as compared with the same period in 2019. Conclusion: During the peak of disease, the COVID-19 pandemic had reduced all catheterization laboratories activity by one-third except for emergency percutaneous coronary intervention.

Keywords

• catheterization laboratories activity
• covid-19 pandemic
• interventional cardiology