The consequences of confinement on patients followed at the heart failure treatment unit (HFTU): experience of the cardiology department – CHU Ibn Rochd-Casablanca

Abstract

Introduction In the absence of effective treatment for SARS-Cov2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), social distancing and containment measures are the most effective ways to fight the pandemic to date. Nevertheless, these latter measures may have repercussions in particular on heart failure. Objective To assess the impact of confinement in patients followed in the heart failure treatment unit at the cardiology department of Ibn Rochd hospital. Method We selected a random sample of patients followed in HFTU. We collected their demographic data as well as the evolution of their symptoms, their clinical parameters, biological, and their lifestyles at the beginning of the confinement and 1 year later. Results We included 100 patients at random. We found a significant increase in BMI of 6.85 kg/m2. The rate of sedentary lifestyle rose by 40% and 63.9% of patients increased their salt intake by more than 4 g/day. We noted a worsening of heart failure symptoms. Thus, 10.6% of patients with stage 2 dyspnea progressed to NYHA stage 3 (32.4 vs. 40.5%), while the percentage of patients with IMO increased by 21.5%. 11 deaths for end-stage heart failure, 38 hospitalizations for heart failure flare-ups including 12 patients following a deviation from diet and treatment, 10 to a rhythm disorder, 8 to an ischemic flare-up, 6 to a pulmonary embolism and 2 patients following a SARS COV2 infection. Conclusion The sanitary confinement has had a significant impact on patients followed for heart failure, from where the need to restructure our healthcare system and develop remote therapeutic education.