Worldwide impact of COVID-19 on hospital admissions for non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTACS): a systematic review with meta-analysis of 553 038 cases

BACKGROUND

How coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impacted non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTACS) is an object of controversial reports.

AIM

To systematically review studies reporting NSTACS hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic, and analyse whether differences in COVID-19 epidemiology, methodology of report, or public health-related factors could contribute to discrepant findings.

METHODS

Comprehensive search (Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Register), of studies reporting NSTACS hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with a reference period, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines. Data were independently extracted by multiple investigators and pooled using a random-effects model. Health-related metrics were from publicly available sources, and analysed through multiple meta-regression modelling.

RESULTS

We retrieved 102 articles (553 038 NSTACS cases, 40 countries). During peak COVID-19 pandemic, overall incidence rate ratio (IRR) of NSTACS hospitalizations over reference period decreased (0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.66-0.75; P < 0.00001). Significant heterogeneity was detected among studies (I2 = 98%; P < 0.00001). Importantly, wide variations were observed among, and within, countries. No significant differences were observed by study quality, whereas comparing different periods within 2020 resulted in greater decrease (IRR: 0.61; CI: 0.53-0.71) than comparing 2020 vs. previous years (IRR: 0.74; CI 0.69-0.79). Among many variables, major predictors of heterogeneity were severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 reproduction rate/country, number of hospitals queried, and reference period length; country stringency index and socio-economical indicators did not contribute significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

During the COVID-19 pandemic, NSTACS hospitalizations decreased significantly worldwide. However, substantial heterogeneity emerged among countries, and within the same country. Factors linked to public health management, but also to methodologies to collect results may have contributed to this heterogeneity.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The protocol was registered in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (ID: CRD42022308159).

Pre-hospital delay, clinical characteristics, angiographic findings, and in-hospital mortality in young and middle-aged adults with acute coronary syndrome: a single-centre registry analysis

There are several differences between younger and older adults with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, few studies have evaluated these differences. We analysed the pre-hospital time interval [symptom onset to first medical contact (FMC)], clinical characteristics, angiographic findings, and in-hospital mortality in patients aged ≤50 (group A) and 51-65 (group B) years hospitalised for ACS. We retrospectively collected data from 2010 consecutive patients hospitalised with ACS between 1 October 2018 and 31 October 2021 from a single-centre ACS registry. Groups A and B included 182 and 498 patients, respectively. ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was more common in group A than group B (62.6 and 45.6%, respectively; P < 0.001). The median time from symptom onset to FMC in STEMI patients did not significantly differ between groups A and B [74 (40-198) and 96 (40-249) min, respectively; P = 0.369]. There was no difference in the rate of sub-acute STEMI (symptom onset to FMC > 24 h) between groups A and B (10.4% and 9.0%, respectively; P = 0.579). Among patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS), 41.8 and 50.2% of those in groups A and B, respectively, presented to the hospital within 24 h of symptom onset (P = 0.219). The prevalence of previous myocardial infarction was 19.2% in group A and 19.5% in group B (P = 1.00). Hypertension, diabetes, and peripheral arterial disease were more common in group B than group A. Active smoking was more common in group A than group B (67 and 54.2%, respectively; P = 0.021). Single-vessel disease was present in 52.2 and 37.1% of participants in groups A and B, respectively (P = 0.002). Proximal left anterior descending artery was more commonly the culprit lesion in group A compared with group B, irrespective of the ACS type (STEMI, 37.7 and 24.2%, respectively; P = 0.009; NSTE-ACS, 29.4 and 21%, respectively; P = 0.140). The hospital mortality rate for STEMI patients was 1.8 and 4.4% in groups A and B, respectively (P = 0.210), while for NSTE-ACS patients it was 2.9 and 2.6% in groups A and B, respectively (P = 0.873). No significant differences in pre-hospital delay were found between young (≤50 years) and middle-aged (51-65 years) patients with ACS. Although clinical characteristics and angiographic findings differ between young and middle-aged patients with ACS, the in-hospital mortality rate did not differ between the groups and was low for both of them.

"I just haven't experienced anything like this before": A qualitative exploration of callers' interpretation of experienced conditions in telephone consultations preceding a myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES

Callers with myocardial infarction presenting atypical symptoms in telephone consultations when calling out-of-hours medical services risk misrecognition. We investigated characteristics in callers' interpretation of experienced conditions through communication with call-takers.

METHODS

Recording of calls resulting in not having an ambulance dispatched for 21 callers who contacted a non-emergency medical helpline, Copenhagen (Denmark), up to one week before they were diagnosed with myocardial infarction. Qualitative content analysis was applied.

RESULTS

Awareness of illness, remedial actions and previous experiences contributed to callers' interpretation of the experienced condition. Unclear symptoms resulted in callers reacting to their interpretation by being unsure and worried. Negotiation of the interpretation was seen when callers tested the call-taker's interpretation of the condition and when either caller or call-taker suggested: "wait and see".

CONCLUSION

Callers sought to interpret the experienced conditions but faced challenges when the conditions appeared unclear and did not correspond to the health system's understanding of symptoms associated with myocardial infarction. It affected the communicative interaction with the call-taker and influenced the call-taker's choice of response.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Call-takers, as part of the decision-making process, could ask further questions about the caller's insecurity and worry. It might facilitate faster recognition of conditions warranting hospital referral.

Association of pre‐hospital time intervals and clinical outcomes in ST‐elevation myocardial infarction patients

Study Objectives

Timely coronary reperfusion is critical for favorable outcomes after ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). A substantial proportion of the total ischemic time is patient related, occurring before first medical contact (FMC). We aimed to expand the limited current understanding of the associations between prehospital intervals and clinical outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive STEMI patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) (January 2009–March 2016) and assessed the associations between prehospital intervals and the incidence of new heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and hospital length of stay (LOS), adjusting for important clinical variables.

Results

A total of 773 patients (77% men, median age 65 years) met eligibility criteria. The median pre‐911 activation interval was 29 minutes (interquartile range: 11, 89); the median 911 call to FMC interval was 12 minutes (interquartile range: 9, 15). In multivariable analysis, there was a V‐shaped relationship between the pre‐911 activation interval and outcomes: a lower likelihood of new heart failure (odds ratio [OR] 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.30, 0.87), cardiogenic shock (OR 0.40; 95% CI: 0.21, 0.75) and prolonged LOS (OR 0.24; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.42) for midrange intervals (11–88 minutes) when compared to the early (< 11‐minute) interval. There was no statistically significant relationship between total pre‐FMC time and FMC to device activation time.

Conclusions

Among ambulance‐transported STEMI patients receiving pPCI, the shortest and longest pre‐911 activation time intervals were associated with poorer outcomes. However, variation in post‐FMC interval alone was not associated with outcomes, suggesting that interventions to reduce pre‐FMC intervals must be prioritized.

Patients' reflections on prehospital symptom recognition and timely treatment of myocardial infarction

AIMS

Early treatment is crucial to successful therapy in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). Prehospital delay is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. There is little empirical evidence of patients' reflections on prehospital symptoms of MI and timely treatment at the time of discharge from hospital. To explore patients' reflections on prehospital symptoms of MI and their experiences of interaction with local hospitals, general practitioners, and laypersons.

METHODS AND RESULTS

An inductive explorative design with a qualitative method approach was used to conduct in-depth interviews of patients after confirmed MI. Twenty patients were purposefully selected based on age and gender. Face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted prior to hospital discharge. The interviews were organized around a set of predetermined, open-ended questions, transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative content analysis. There were patients who acted upon severe symptoms of MI by seeking medical assistance. Patients commonly experienced that the time from the onset of symptoms to treatment posed a transitional challenge. They did not take subtle signs of MI seriously; they underestimated symptoms of MI and delayed seeking medical assistance. Patients frequently experienced that healthcare professionals did not take them seriously, as they struggled to gain access to healthcare services.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights patients' unique experiences of the pathway from symptom onset to confirmed MI. Severe chest pain is associated with MI and triggers an immediate need for care. However, patients often underestimated moderate chest pain or subtle signs and symptoms of MI. Existing knowledge gaps concerning the misinterpretation of symptoms in primary care need to be addressed in order to reduce this clinical challenge.

Impact of myocardial infarction symptom presentation on emergency response and survival

AIMS

We examined associations between symptom presentation and chance of receiving an emergency dispatch and 30-day mortality among patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Copenhagen, Denmark has a 24-h non-emergency medical helpline and an emergency number 1-1-2 (equivalent to 9-1-1). Both services register symptoms/purpose of calls. Among patients with MI as either hospital diagnosis or cause of death within 72 h after a call, the primary symptom was categorized as chest pain, atypical symptoms (breathing problems, unclear problem, central nervous system symptoms, abdominal/back/urinary, other cardiac symptoms, and other atypical symptoms), unconsciousness, non-informative symptoms, and no recorded symptoms. We identified 4880 emergency and 3456 non-emergency calls from patients with MI. The most common symptom was chest pain (N = 5219) followed by breathing problems (N = 556). Among patients with chest pain, 95% (3337/3508) of emergency calls and 76% (1306/1711) of non-emergency calls received emergency dispatch. Mortality was 5% (163/3508) and 3% (49/1711) for emergency/non-emergency calls, respectively. For atypical symptoms 62% (554/900) and 17% (137/813) of emergency/non-emergency calls received emergency dispatch and mortality was 23% (206/900) and 15% (125/813). Among unconscious, patients 99%/100% received emergency dispatch and mortality was 71%/75% for emergency/non-emergency calls. Standardized 30-day mortality was 4.3% for chest pain and 15.6% for atypical symptoms, and associations between symptoms and emergency dispatch remained in subgroups of age and sex.

CONCLUSION

Myocardial infarction patients presenting with atypical symptoms when calling for help have a reduced chance of receiving an emergency dispatch and increased 30-day mortality compared to MI patients with chest pain.

Assessment of quality of care of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Aims:

The 2017 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the management of ST-elevation myocardial infarction recommended assessing quality of care to establish measurable quality indicators in order to ensure that every ST-elevation myocardial infarction patient receives the best possible care. We investigated the quality indicators of healthcare services in Poland provided to ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients.

Methods and results:

The Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes is a nationwide, multicentre, prospective study of acute coronary syndrome patients in Poland. For the purpose of assessing quality indicators, we included 8279 patients from the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes hospitalised with ST-elevation myocardial infarction in 2018. Four hundred and eight of 8279 patients (4.9%) arrived at percutaneous coronary intervention centre by self-transport, 4791 (57.9%) arrived at percutaneous coronary intervention centre by direct emergency medical system transport, and 2900 (37.2%) were transferred from non-percutaneous coronary intervention facilities. Whilst 95.1% of ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients arriving in the first 12 h received reperfusion therapy, the rates of timely reperfusion were much lower (ranging from 39.4% to 55.0% for various ST-elevation myocardial infarction pathways). The median left ventricular ejection fraction was 46% and was assessed before discharge in 86.0% of patients. Four hundred and eighty-nine of 8279 patients (5.9%) died during hospital stay. Optimal medical therapy is prescribed in 50–85% of patients depending on various clinical settings. Only one in two ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients is enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program at discharge. No patient-reported outcomes were recorded in the Polish Registry of Acute Coronary Syndromes.

Conclusions:

The results of this study identified areas of healthcare system that require solid improvement. These include direct transport to percutaneous coronary intervention centre, timely reperfusion, guidelines-based medical therapy (in particular in patients with heart failure), referral to cardiac rehabilitation/secondary prevention programs. Also, there is a need for recording quality indicators associated with patient-reported outcomes.

The impact of Community intervention on the time from Symptom onset to first medical contact with acute coronary syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Patient delay in the recognition of and response to the symptoms of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a worldwide problem. A community education program about chest pain was implemented in China, and was aimed at providing better community intervention. In this study, the impact of this program on the time of symptom onset to the first medical contact (SO-to-FMC) in ACS patients was investigated, as was the incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) in these patients.

METHODS

A total of 10 local communities were included in this study. A 9-month intensive community education program about chest pain was conducted in these communities. The data on the demographics, mode of transportation, procedures, clinical outcomes, and discharge diagnoses of all ACS patients in these communities were collected.

RESULTS

The study communities had a combined population of 361,609, and all community population sizes ranged from 12,823 to 66,127. The average SO-to-FMC time of the control period was 510 min, whereas, following community intervention, the average SO-to-FMC time was 256 min (P <  0.001). Furthermore, comparative analyses revealed that, following discharge from the hospital, the 1.5-year MACCE-free survival rate was higher in the community intervention group than in the control group (95.0 % vs. 90.5 %, P =  0.025), and the 1.5-year mortality rate was lower in the community intervention group than in the control group (3.3 % vs. 6.3 %, P =  0.03).

CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The Hangzhou Chest Pain Science Education Project(HCPSEP) was found to reduce the SO-to-FMC time and improve the outcome of ACS patients. This indicates that a scientific, educational program on chest pain can be effective in improving the knowledge and alertness of the local residents about chest pain. This type of program may be recognized and carried out in other regions.

Rationale and design of DanGer shock: Danish-German cardiogenic shock trial

OBJECTIVE

The DanGer Shock trial test the hypothesis that left ventricular (LV) mechanical circulatory support with Impella CP transvalvular microaxial flow pump improves survival in patients with ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock (AMICS) compared to conventional guideline-driven treatment. This paper describes the rationale and design of the randomized trial, in addition to the baseline characteristics of the population screened and enrolled so far.

METHODS

The DanGer Shock study is a prospective, multicenter, open-label trial in patients with AMICS randomized 1:1 to Impella CP or current guideline-driven therapy with planned enrollment of 360 patients. Patients comatose after out of hospital cardiac arrest are excluded. Eligible patients are randomized immediately following shock diagnosis. Among patients randomized to receive Impella CP, the device is placed prior to angioplasty. The primary endpoint is all-cause mortality at 180 days. Baseline characteristics of patients screened and randomized in the DanGer Shock as of June 2018 are compared with 2 contemporary AMICS studies.

RESULTS

As of end of June 2018, 314 patients were screened and 100 patients were randomized. Patients had median arterial lactate of 5.5 mmol/L (interquartile range 3.7-8.8 mmol/L), median systolic blood pressure of 76 mmHg (interquartile range 70-88 mmHg), and median LV ejection fraction of 20% (interquartile range 10%-30%).

CONCLUSION

The DanGer Shock trial will be the first adequately powered randomized trial to address whether mechanical circulatory LV support with Impella CP can improve survival in AMICS. Baseline characteristics of the first 100 randomized patients indicate a population in profound cardiogenic shock.

Interaction between tele-nurses and callers with an evolving myocardial infarction: Consequences for level of directed care

BACKGROUND

Rapid contact with emergency medical services is imperative to save the lives of acute myocardial infarction patients. However, many patients turn to a telehealth advisory nurse instead, where the delivery of urgent and safe care largely depends on how the interaction in the call is established.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to explore the interaction between tele-nurses and callers with an evolving myocardial infarction after contacting a national telehealth advisory service number as their first medical contact.

METHOD

Twenty men and 10 women (aged 46-89 years) were included. Authentic calls were analysed using inductive content analysis.

FINDINGS

One overall category, Movement towards directed level of care, labelled the whole interaction between the tele-nurse and the caller. Four categories conceptualised the different interactions: a distinct, reasoning, indecisive or irrational interaction. The interactions described how tele-nurses and callers assessed and elaborated on symptoms, context and actions. The interaction was pivotal for progress in the dialogue and affected the achievement of mutual understanding in the communicative process. An indecisive or irrational interaction could increase the risk of failing to recommend or call for acute care.

CONCLUSION

The interaction in the communication could either lead or mislead the level of care directed in the call. This study adds new perspectives to the communicative process in the acute setting in order to identify a myocardial infarction and the level of urgency from both individuals experiencing myocardial infarction and professionals in the health system.

[Analysis of pre-hospital delay time of patients with myocardial infarction]

INTRODUCTION AND AIM

The authors examined the pre-hospital delay of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction receiving percutaneous coronary revascularization.

METHOD

In the Hungarian Myocardial Infarction Registry (HUMIR), between January 1, 2014 and March 31, 2016, 7146 patients were found who had all necessary time intervals available. In the database of the National Ambulance Service (OMSZ), 3288 patients were found who had the necessary time intervals. The following time intervals were investigated: the time from the beginning of the complaint to the rescue service notification (patient delay time = PDT), the time of the rescue service to arrive at the scene (R1), the on-site care time (R2) and the time from the scene until arriving to the centre (R3). The case of care at the centre, we investigated the time from the onset of symptoms until the balloon inflation (SBI). If the first hospital had no cardiac catheterization laboratory, we measured the transfer time to the cath centre. The methodological details related to the operation of the HUMIR had been described in our earlier communication. Rescue times (R1, R2, R3) were investigated on the basis of the paper-based records of the National Emergency Service. The patients were divided into two groups based on the fact that the first admission hospital is a centre with a heart catheter facility (C) or a non-invasive hospital (H).

RESULTS

2621 patients (79.7%) were admitted to a hospital with cath lab (C) and 667 patients with secondary transport. Patients with primary transport to C were younger, but for other data, the two groups did not differ. The median of PDT for patients in group C was 114, and 121 minutes for patients in group H. There was no significant difference between R1 and R2 time between the two groups. R3 time in group C was longer than for H patients. In the case of secondary transport, the median time was 98 minutes until the centre. The median time from the beginning of the complaint to the balloon inflation (total ischemic time) was 260 minutes in group C and 356 minutes in group H.

CONCLUSION

Based on the analysis of the total ischemic time and the pre-hospital delay, it is clear that the care of myocardial infarction patients can be further improved by reducing the patient's decision time and increasing the proportion of primary transport. Rescue times (R1, R2, R3) met the expectations, however, further analysis of the M2 time should be considered. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(1): 20-25.