STEMI and COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 pandemic had significant impact on health care worldwide which has led to a reduction in all elective admissions and management of patients through virtual care. The purpose of this study is to assess changes in STEMI volumes, door to reperfusion, and the time from the onset of symptoms until reperfusion therapy, and in-hospital events between the pre COVID-19 (PC) and after COVID-19 (AC) period. Methods All acute STEMI cases were retrospectively identified from 16 centers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 period from January 01 to April 30, 2020. These cases were compared to a pre-COVID period from January 01 to April 30, 2018 and 2019. Results 1785 patients with a mean age 56.3 (SD ± 12.4) years, 88.3% were male. During COVID-19 Pandemic the total STEMI volumes was reduced (28%, n=500), STEMI volumes for those treated with reperfusion therapy was reduced too (27.6%, n=450). Door to balloon time < 90 minutes was achieved in (73.1%, no=307) during 2020. Timing from the onset of symptoms to the balloon of more than 12 hours was higher during 2020 comparing to pre COVID 19 years (17.2% versus <3%, respectively). There were no differences between the AC and PC period with respect to in-hospital events and the length of hospital stay. Conclusion There was a reduction in the STEMI volumes during 2020. Our data reflected the standard of care for STEMI patients continued during the COVID-19 pandemic while demonstrating patients delayed presenting to the hospital.