Effect of COVID 19 pandemic lockdown on acute coronary syndrome

 

 

Abstract              Background: The present study evaluates the impact of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic on admissions for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) presenting to emergency department of a tertiary care center in Pune, Maharashtra. Methods: Records of patients with ACS from the months of March, April and May of 2019 were analyzed and compared to the corresponding months in 2020. The data from December 2019, January and February 2020 were also compared. A total number of 552 cases were included in this study. Results: We observed 187 ACS cases in the corresponding months of last year (pre pandemic interval) but 33 during the months of March, April and May 2020 (pandemic interval) and 61 in the months of December 2019, January and February 2020 (Chi square value – 17.33, p<0.001) suggesting reduction in ACS cases during the lockdown period. Conclusion: We observed a significant decrease in ACS hospitalizations during the lockdown interval which provides evidence for the influence of social and behavioral factors on coronary heart conditions. It is essential to understand the reasons for reduction in ACS cases during the lockdown period in comparison to the pre pandemic period to be prepared for the footfall of cardiac cases that may turn up in the coming months.

Key words: Acute Coronary Syndrome, Covid-19, Pandemic