Abstract
Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has left an ever-lasting impression on the healthcare system, however, less attention has been paid to hospitalized patients without SARS-CoV-2. This study evaluated hospitalized, non- COVID patients presenting with NSTEMI and the affect on trends in mortality rate, initial troponin value, and length of stay compared to the prior non-pandemic period Hypothesis: During the pandemic period, length of stay and mortality were increased compared to the prior non-pandemic year. Methods: This retrospective multi-center study involved a total of 62,690 patients admitted across 151 hospitals within the HCA network. Eligible patients had a negative SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) upon admission. Using the time period of March - May of both 2019 and 2020, a total of 43,129 patients were investigated in 2019 and 19,561 patients in 2020. Results: Initial troponin values were higher in the non-pandemic year of 2019 (3.0 +/- 11.97, std error: 0.0645, p = 0.001) when compared to those of the pandemic period of 2020 (2.69 +/- 9.88, std error: 0.0075, p = 0.001). However, outcomes including mortality and length of stay were found to be worse in 2020 compared to 2019 (Mortality: 7.53% vs 6.65% respectively p= <.001 ) & (length of stay: 6.97 +/- 7.77 days vs 6.00 +/- 7.15 days respectively, p= <0.001). Multivariable Logistic Regression analysis revealed that those NSTEMI patients hospitalized in 2020 had a 13% higher likelihood of mortality compared those in 2019 (OR 1.13 [95% CI (1.05, 1.21), p= <0.001), independent of demographic, comorbidities, or home use statins, anti-platelet agents, or beta blockers. Additionally, length of stay in 2020 was increased by +0.935 days compared to 2019 (std error 0.063, p= <0.001) while holding other factors constant. Conclusions: This study demonstrated hospitalized NSTEMI patients without SARS-CoV-2 suffered an increase in mortality rates and length of stay compared to the prior year despite having lower troponin values. Multiple factors may have contributed to the burden faced by hospitals including delays in presentation, lack of outpatient care, and fear of contracting the virus while hospitalized. Further investigation into the impact of the pandemic remains vital for future of healthcare
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
