Cardiology in Times of Coronavirus: The Perfect Storm

Since January 2020, the COVID-19 infection has spread from China to the rest of the world. The clinical picture has several points in common with influenza, being mild or asymptomatic in most cases. However, around 15% of cases shows complications with interstitial pneumonia that can lead to respiratory failure.

Coronavirus

Given the lack of vaccine or specific treatment, we are left with only two options: giving vital support including mechanical ventilation or even extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (at the risk of collapsing the healthcare system) or trying or contain the spreading with drastic (and obnoxious) measures such as lockdown. 

Most centers and healthcare systems in the world are not prepared to handle the abrupt and massive bed demand necessary to treat acute severe respiratory failure. 

This emergency has progressively involved cardiologists, since facing overflowed ICUs requires cardiology units to give up their beds. 


Read also: Cath Lab Management Protocol for the COVID-19 Outbreak.


The reorganization has left the “classic” cardiology patients nowhere to go. This situation has been made clear with the cancellation of practically all surgical and transcatheter procedures that had been programmed. 

The crisis is acute and too recent for us to be able to come up with effective solutions in the short term. At the end of the day, all our concerns about cardiology are set aside when compared against the need to help COVID patients in trying to control the pandemic. 

Only a sound mind and body will enable cardiologists to face consequences head on (beyond facemasks and clean hands) and help us navigate the perfect storm. 

Original Title: The Cardiologist at the time of Coronavirus: a perfect storm.

Reference: Claudio Rapezzi y Roberto Ferrari.  European Heart Journal 2020, 41(13), 1320–1322.


Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

Get the latest scientific articles on interventional cardiology

We are interested in your opinion. Please, leave your comments, thoughts, questions, etc., below. They will be most welcome.

More articles by this author

Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation: Surgical vs. Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair

While highly prevalent, tricuspid regurgitation is a notably undertreated valvulopathy. Its progression has been associated with higher mortality and significant disability. According to the...

ACCESS-TAVI: Comparing Post TAVR Vascular Closure Devices

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a well-established option to treat elderly patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis. Technical advances and device development...

Endovascular Treatment of Iliofemoral Disease for the Improvement of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a significant risk factor in the development of difficult-to-treat conditions, such as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)....

Coronary Artery Disease in Aortic Stenosis: CABG + SAVR vs. TAVR + PCI: Data from Spanish Centers

Multiple randomized studies have shown comparable or superior efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) vs. coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).  However, many of...

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related Articles

SOLACI Sessionsspot_img

Recent Articles

Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation: Surgical vs. Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair

While highly prevalent, tricuspid regurgitation is a notably undertreated valvulopathy. Its progression has been associated with higher mortality and significant disability. According to the...

ACCESS-TAVI: Comparing Post TAVR Vascular Closure Devices

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a well-established option to treat elderly patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis. Technical advances and device development...

Endovascular Treatment of Iliofemoral Disease for the Improvement of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a significant risk factor in the development of difficult-to-treat conditions, such as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)....