The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular diseases hospitalization, management and mortality in Switzerland

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background COVID-19 pandemic led to a reduction in hospital admissions and intervention for other diseases in many countries. Purpose We aimed to assess the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular disease (CVD) hospitalizations, management and mortality in Switzerland. Methods Swiss hospital discharge and mortality data for period 2017-2020. CVD hospitalizations, CVD interventions and CVD mortality were assessed before (2017-2019) and during (2020) the pandemic. Results Compared to 2017-2019, 2020 was characterized by a reduction of CVD admissions in age groups 65-84 and ≥85 by approximately 3,700 and 1,700 cases, respectively, and by an increase in the percentage of admissions with a Charlson Index >8. The total number of CVD-related deaths decreased from 21,042 in 2017 to 19,901 in 2019, and increased to 20,511 in 2020, with an estimated excess of 1,181 deaths. This increase was due to out-of-hospital deaths (+1400), while the number of in-hospital deaths decreased from 5030 in 2019 to 4796 in 2020. The total number of cardiovascular interventions increased from 55,181 in 2017 to 57,864 in 2019, and decreased in 2020, with an estimated reduction of 4,472 interventions; PTCA was the exception, as the number and percentage of emergency PTCA increased. The preventive measures applied against COVID-19 inverted the seasonal pattern of CVD admissions, the highest number of admissions being found in summer and the lowest in winter. Preventive measures were also followed by a decrease in CVD admission (figure). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic led to a reduction in CVD hospital admissions, planned CVD interventions, an increase in total and out-of-hospital mortality, and a change in seasonal patterns.