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Russo V, Boggian G, Bolognesi MG, Carretta DM, Cencetti S, De Laura D, Hrovatin E, Pastori P, Tomaselli C, Parente E, Rafanelli M, Ungar A. The Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak on Syncope Units Activities in Italy: A Report from the Italian Multidisciplinary Working Group on Syncope (GIMSI). Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:9194. [PMID: 34501793 PMCID: PMC8431220 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on Syncope Units (SUs) Activities in Italy. Methods: Data about types of SU activities and admissions were obtained from 10 SUs throughout Italy, certified by the Italian Multidisciplinary Working Group on Syncope (GIMSI), from 10 March 2020 to 31 December 2020 and compared with the same time frame in 2019. Results: A remarkable reduction in overall non-invasive diagnostic tests (-67%; p < 0.001) and cardiac invasive procedure. Elective cardiac pacing procedures disclosed a significant decrease (-62.7%; p < 0.001); conversely, the decrease of urgent procedures was not significant (-50%; p = 0.08). There was a significantly increased rate of patients who underwent both telemedicine follow-up visits (+225%, p < 0.001) and cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) remote monitoring follow-up visits (+100%; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The COVID-19 outbreak was associated with a remarkable decrease in all clinical activities of Syncope Units in Italy, including both non-invasive tests and cardiac invasive procedures; conversely, a significant increase in telehealth activities was shown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Russo
- Cardiology and Syncope Unit, Department of Medical Translational Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”—Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giulio Boggian
- Internal Medicine and Syncope Unit, Bentivoglio Hospital, Health Authority Bologna, 40053 Bologna, Italy;
| | | | | | - Simone Cencetti
- Internal Medicine and Syncope Unit, Piero Palagi Hospital, Health Authority Toscana Centro, 50122 Firenze, Italy;
| | | | - Enzo Hrovatin
- Cardiology and Syncope Unit, Monfalcone Hospital, Health Authority Giuliano Isontina (GO), 34074 Monfalcone, Italy;
| | - Paolo Pastori
- Cardiology and Syncope Unit, Fidenza Hospital, Health Authority Parma, 43036 Fidenza, Italy;
| | | | - Erika Parente
- Cardiology and Syncope Unit, Department of Medical Translational Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”—Monaldi Hospital, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Martina Rafanelli
- Geriatrics and Intensive Care Unit, Hypertension Centre—Syncope Unit University of Florence and Careggi Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.R.); (A.U.)
| | - Andrea Ungar
- Geriatrics and Intensive Care Unit, Hypertension Centre—Syncope Unit University of Florence and Careggi Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.R.); (A.U.)
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