800 The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on The Management of Patients with Vascular Conditions: The Vascular and Endovascular Research Network (VERN) COVID-19 Vascular Service (COVER) Tier 3 Study

Abstract

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impact on healthcare delivery internationally. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the management of vascular conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic standards.MethodAn international multicentre prospective cohort study was conducted over a 4-week period from March 2020. All patients referred to vascular services with acute vascular conditions were eligible to participate. Data on patient demographics, diagnosis and treatment delivered during the pandemic were collected. If there was a deviation from the pre-pandemic management plan, this ‘ideal’ plan was recorded, and the severity of modification scored on a 5-point scale.ResultsA total of 1801 patients from 52 centres in 19 countries were included in the study, most commonly referred with lower limb conditions (54.4%). Only 2.3% of patients had a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. A deviation from the pre-pandemic treatment standard occurred in 35% of unruptured ≥5.5cm diameter abdominal aortic aneurysms, 24.7% of patients with carotid disease, 17% with acute or chronic limb-threatening ischaemia and 12.7% with diabetic foot conditions. Of these modifications, 40.7% were significant, such as endovascular instead of open aneurysm repair or treatment delays, 38.1% major, such as non-operative management of carotid and lower limb disease, and 4.9% life-changing/ending including major amputation or palliation.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted upon the management decisions for vascular conditions, independent of COVID status, with 17% of all-referred patients receiving suboptimal care due to limited resources and difficulty accessing services.