CONGENITAL CARDIAC INTERVENTIONS during the PEAK PHASE of COVID-19 PANDEMICS in the COUNTRY in A PANDEMICS HOSPITAL in ISTANBUL

Abstract

Introduction:In this report, we aim to present our algorithm and results of patients with congenital cardiac disorsers who underwent surgical or interventional procedures during the peak phase of the pandemics in our country.Patients and Methods:The first COVID-19 case was diagnosed in Turkey on March 11, 2020 and the peak phase seemed to end by the end of April. All the patients whom were referred, treated or previously operated but still at the hospital during the peak phase of COVID-19 pandemics in the country were included into this retrospective study. Patients diagnosis, interventions, adverse events and early post-procedural courses were studied.Results:Thirty-one patients with various diagnosis of congenital cardiovascular disorders were retrospectively reviewed. Ages of the patients ranged between 2 days and 16 years. seventeen cases were males and 14 cases were females. Elective cases were postponed. Priority was given interventional procedures and 5 cases were treated percutaneously. Palliative procedures were preferred in patients whom presumably would require long hospital stay. Corrective procedures were not hesitated in prioritized stable patients. Mortality occurred in one patient. Eight patients out of 151 intensive care unit admissions were diagnosed with COVID-19 and they were transeferred to COVID-19 intensive care unit immediately. Three nurses whom also took care of the pediatric cases became infected with SARS-CoV-2; however, the children did not catch the disease.Conclusion:Mandatory and emergent congenital cardiac percutaneous and surgical procedures may be performed with similar postoperative risks with as there is no pandemics with meticulous care and preventive measures.