Impact of COVID-19-related public containment measures on the ST elevation myocardial infarction epidemic in Belgium: a nationwide, serial, cross-sectional study
Marc J. Claeys, Jean‐François Argacha, Philippe Collart, Marc Carlier, Olivier Van Caenegem, Peter Sinnaeve, Walter Desmet, Philippe Dubois, Francis Stammen, Sofie Gevaert, Suzanne Pourbaix, Patrick Coussement, Christophe Beauloye, Patrick Evrard, Olivier Brasseur, Frans Fierens, Patrick Maréchal, Dan Schelfaut, Vincent Floré, Claude Hanet
Abstract
AIMS: The current study assessed the impact of COVID-19-related public containment measures (i.e. lockdown) on the ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) epidemic in Belgium. METHODS AND RESULTS: = .02). Although the in-hospital mortality between the two periods was comparable (5.9% versus 6.7%), 5 of the 7 (71%) COVID-19-positive STEMI patients died. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed a 26% reduction in STEMI admissions and a delay in treatment of STEMI patients. Less exposure to external STEMI triggers (such as ambient air pollution) and/or reluctance to seek medical care are possible explanations of this observation.