ARYA Atherosclerosis Journal

Telecardiology and its outcome among patients with implantable cardiac devices during COVID-19 pandemic

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

Santosh Kumar Sinha 1
Awdesh Kumar Sharma 1
Mahmodullah Razi 1
Praveen Shukla 2
Mohit Sachan 2
Umeshwar Pandey 3
Chandra Mohan Varma 3
Ramesh Thakur 3
Vinay Krishna 3

1 Associate Professor, Department of Cardiology, LPS Institute of Cardiology, G.S.V.M. Medical College, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiology, LPS Institute of Cardiology, G.S.V.M. Medical College, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

3 Professor, Department of Cardiology, LPS Institute of Cardiology, G.S.V.M. Medical College, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

https://doi.org/10.22122/arya.v17i0.2354
Abstract
BACKGROUND: During ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, social isolation and lockdown measures were implemented to prevent spread of virus which created enormous challenges to patient healthcare. In order to overcome these challenges, teleconsultation (telecardiology) was initiated. Objective of this study was to assess outcome of telecardiology using audio/visual/audio-visual consultation among patients with implantable cardiac devices.METHODS: Telecardiology was performed (either physician-initiated or patient-initiated) among 1200 patients over a five-month period (July 13 to December 13, 2020) to review health status of patients to decide further course of treatment and to access their satisfaction level with telecardiology.RESULTS: Teleconsultation was cardiologist- and patient-initiated in 1042 (86.8%) and 158 (13.2%) cases, respectively. 1117 (93.2%) patients were stable, while scheduled admission, urgent hospitalization, and death were noted in 20 (1.8%), 45 (3.9%), and 18 (1.5%) patients, respectively. Next visit was rescheduled in 986 (82.2%), while 127 (10.6%) were called earlier because of battery depletion. Majority (n = 1077, 89.8%) were satisfied.CONCLUSION: Telecardiolgy is an effective option during COVID-19 to minimize interpersonal contact, spread of disease, psychological stress, and burden on already stretched healthcare.

Keywords

COVID-19
Implantable Cardiac Devices
Heart Failure
Telecardiolgy
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ARYA Atherosclerosis Journal
Volume 17, Issue 1
January and February 2021
Pages 1-6

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