Journal of the American Heart Association
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Coronavirus disease 2019 is a global pandemic affecting >3 million people in >170 countries, resulting in >200 000 deaths; 35% to 40% of patients and deaths are in the United States. The coronavirus disease 2019 crisis is placing an enormous burden on health care in the United States, including residency and fellowship training programs. ⋯ Guidance for deployment of cardiology fellows in training during the coronavirus disease 2019 crisis is based on the principles of a medical mission, and adherence to preparation, protection, and support of our fellows in training. The purpose of this review is to describe our departmental strategic deployment of cardiology fellows in training using the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education framework for pandemic preparedness.
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Comparative Study
Improving Access to Automated External Defibrillators in Rural and Remote Settings: A Drone Delivery Feasibility Study.
Background Time to treatment is critical for survival from sudden cardiac arrest. Every minute delay in defibrillation results in a 7% to 10% reduction in survival. This is particularly problematic in rural and remote regions, where emergency medical service response is prolonged and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are often not available. ⋯ During each flight, the AED drone arrived on scene before the ambulance, between 1.8 and 8.0 minutes faster. Conclusions This study suggests AED drone delivery is feasible, with the potential for improvements in response time during simulated sudden cardiac arrest scenarios. Further research is required to determine the appropriate system configuration for AED drone delivery in an integrated emergency medical service system as well as optimal strategies to simplify bystander application of a drone-delivered AED.
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Medicine and public health have traditionally separated the prevention and treatment of communicable and noncommunicable diseases. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has challenged this paradigm, particularly in the setting of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Overall, individuals with underlying CVD who acquire severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 experience up to a 10-fold higher case-fatality rate compared with the general population. ⋯ Herein, we review CVD prevention and implications of COVID-19 in New Orleans, LA, a city holding a sobering yet resilient history with previous public health disasters. In particular, we discuss potential pandemic-driven changes in access to health care, preventive pharmacotherapy, and lifestyle behaviors, all of which may adversely affect CVD prevention and management, while amplifying racial disparities. Through this process, we highlight proposed recommendations for how CVD prevention efforts can be improved in the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic and future public health crises.
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Background Northern Italy is one of the epicenters of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV 2) pandemic in Europe. The impact of the pandemic and the consequent lockdown on medical emergencies other than those SARS-CoV 2 pandemic related is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiologic impact of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on hospital admission for severe emergent cardiovascular diseases (SECDs) in a single Northern Italy large tertiary referral center. ⋯ Conclusions A significant decrease in all SECDs admissions has been observed during the SARS-CoV 2. pandemic and was unlikely caused by a reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Fear of contagion may have contributed to the unpredictable drop of SECDs. Social education about early recognition of symptoms of life-threatening cardiac conditions requiring appropriate care in a timely fashion may help to reduce this counterproductive phenomenon.
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The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, represents the third human affliction attributed to the highly pathogenic coronavirus in the current century. Because of its highly contagious nature and unprecedented global spread, its aggressive clinical presentation, and the lack of effective treatment, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection is causing the loss of thousands of lives and imparting unparalleled strain on healthcare systems around the world. ⋯ This will help reduce the risk of exposure to patients and healthcare workers and allocate resources appropriately to those in greatest need. We include an algorithm for preoperative testing for coronavirus disease 2019, personal protective equipment recommendations, and a classification system to categorize and prioritize common cardiac surgery procedures.