Open AccessPerforming elective cardiac invasive procedures during the COVID-19 outbreak: a position statement from the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI)
Author(s) -
Alaide Chieffo,
Giuseppe Tarantini,
Christoph Naber,
Emanuele Barbato,
Marco Roffi,
Giulio G. Stefanini,
Gill Louise Buchanan,
Piotr P. Buszman,
Raúl Moreno,
Barbara Zawiślak,
Guillaume Cayla,
Haim Danenberg,
João Silveira,
Holger Nef,
Stefan James,
Josepa Mauri Ferré,
Michiel Voskuil,
Nils Witt,
Stephan Windecker,
Andreas Baumbach,
Dariusz Dudek
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
eurointervention
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.592
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1969-6213
pISSN - 1774-024X
DOI - 10.4244/eij-d-20-01291
Subject(s) - medicine , covid-19 , percutaneous , position statement , psychological intervention , statement (logic) , outbreak , pandemic , intensive care medicine , cardiology , emergency medicine , virology , family medicine , disease , nursing , infectious disease (medical specialty) , political science , law
The rearrangement of healthcare services required to face the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to a drastic reduction in elective cardiac invasive procedures. We are already facing a "second wave" of infections and we might be dealing during the next months with a "third wave" and subsequently new waves. Therefore, during the different waves of the COVID-19 pandemic we have to face the problems of how to perform elective cardiac invasive procedures in non-COVID patients and which patients/procedures should be prioritised. In this context, the interplay between the pandemic stage, the availability of healthcare resources and the priority of specific cardiac disorders is crucial. Clear pathways for "hot" or presumed "hot" patients and "cold" patients are mandatory in each hospital. Depending on the local testing capacity and intensity of transmission in the area, healthcare facilities may test patients for SARS-CoV-2 infection before the interventional procedure, regardless of risk assessment for COVID-19. Pre-hospital testing should always be conducted in the presence of symptoms suggestive of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In cases of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 positive patients, full personal protective equipment using FFP 2/N95 masks, eye protection, gowning and gloves is indicated during cardiac interventions for healthcare workers. When patients have tested negative for COVID-19, medical masks may be sufficient. Indeed, individual patients should themselves wear medical masks during cardiac interventions and outpatient visits.