The Effect of COVID-19 on Adult Cardiac Surgery

The Effect of COVID-19 Adult Cardiac Surgery in the United States in 717,103 Patients 

Abstract: The purpose of this research study was to analyze the effect of COVID-19 Adult Cardiac Surgery in 717,103 patients across the United States. Johns Hopkins analyzed surgical and COVID-19 volumes, trends, and outcomes nationally and regionally from February 1, 2020-January 1, 2021. The observed-to-expected ratios were used to analyze risk-adjustable mortality. 

They assessed 717,103 adult cardiac surgery patients and over 20 million COVID-19 patients. Adult cardiac surgery volume was reduced by 52.7% and 65.5% in elective cases. The first COVID-19 surge impacted the Mid-Atlantic region more significantly with a 69.7% case volume reduction and 80% reduction in elective cases. The observed-to-expected ratio mortality for isolated coronary bypass increased 1.48 times compared to pre-COVID rates. After the initial COVID-19 surge, surgical case volumes nationwide didn’t return to their baseline. 

COVID-19 continues to impact the world, and the United States holds the highest number of COVID-related deaths. This concludes the most extensive study to date analyzing the impact of COVID-19 on adult cardiac surgery. During the first COVID-19 surge, cardiac surgery volume suffered in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions, while an increase in observed-to-expected 30-day mortality was observed. This study concluded a deficit associated with COVID-19 in adult cardiac surgery patients.

We highlight the efforts of the following and celebrate their contributions to this research study: TC Nguyen, VH Thourani, AP Nissen, RH Habib, JA Dearani, A Ropski, JA Crestanello, DM Shahian, JP Jacobs, and V Badhwar.

The Effect of COVID-19 Adult Cardiac Surgery in the United States in 717,103 Patients