Telecardiology and its outcome among patients with implantable cardiac devices during COVID-۱۹ pandemic

BACKGROUND: During ongoing coronavirus disease ۲۰۱۹ (COVID-۱۹) pandemic, social isolation and lockdown measures were implemented to prevent spread of virus which created enormous challenges to patient healthcare. In order to overcome these challenges, teleconsultation (telecardiology) was initiated. Objective of this study was to assess outcome of telecardiology using audio/visual/audio-visual consultation among patients with implantable cardiac devices.METHODS: Telecardiology was performed (either physician-initiated or patient-initiated) among ۱۲۰۰ patients over a five-month period (July ۱۳ to December ۱۳, ۲۰۲۰) to review health status of patients to decide further course of treatment and to access their satisfaction level with telecardiology.RESULTS: Teleconsultation was cardiologist- and patient-initiated in ۱۰۴۲ (۸۶.۸%) and ۱۵۸ (۱۳.۲%) cases, respectively. ۱۱۱۷ (۹۳.۲%) patients were stable, while scheduled admission, urgent hospitalization, and death were noted in ۲۰ (۱.۸%), ۴۵ (۳.۹%), and ۱۸ (۱.۵%) patients, respectively. Next visit was rescheduled in ۹۸۶ (۸۲.۲%), while ۱۲۷ (۱۰.۶%) were called earlier because of battery depletion. Majority (n = ۱۰۷۷, ۸۹.۸%) were satisfied.CONCLUSION: Telecardiolgy is an effective option during COVID-۱۹ to minimize interpersonal contact, spread of disease, psychological stress, and burden on already stretched healthcare.

کلیدواژه ها:

COVID-۱۹ ، Implantable Cardiac Devices ، Heart Failure ، Telecardiolgy