Early Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Congenital Heart Surgery Programs Across the World: Assessment by a Global Multi-Societal Consortium

World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg. 2020 Nov;11(6):689-696. doi: 10.1177/2150135120949462. Epub 2020 Aug 26.

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic currently gripping the globe is impacting the entire health care system with rapidly escalating morbidities and mortality. Although the infectious risk to the pediatric population appears low, the effects on children with congenital heart disease (CHD) remain poorly understood. The closure of congenital heart surgery programs worldwide to address the growing number of infected individuals could have an unintended impact on future health for COVID-19-negative patients with CHD. Pediatric and congenital heart surgeons, given their small numbers and close relationships, are uniquely positioned to collectively assess the impact of the pandemic on surgical practice and care of children with CHD. We present the results of an international survey sent to pediatric and congenital heart surgeons characterizing the early impact of COVID-19 on the care of patients with CHD.

Keywords: congenital heart disease (CHD); congenital heart surgery; morbidity); outcomes (includes mortality; pediatric.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Cardiac Surgical Procedures / statistics & numerical data*
  • Child
  • Elective Surgical Procedures / statistics & numerical data*
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / statistics & numerical data
  • Global Health
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / surgery*
  • Hospital Administration*
  • Humans
  • Organizational Policy
  • Pandemics*
  • Patient Care Management / statistics & numerical data
  • SARS-CoV-2