Outcomes of Vascular and Endovascular Interventions Performed During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

Abstract

<h3>Objective: </h3><p>The aim of the COVER Study is to identify global outcomes and decision making for vascular procedures during the pandemic.</p><h3>Background Data: </h3><p>During its initial peak, there were many reports of delays to vital surgery and the release of several guidelines advising later thresholds for vascular surgical intervention for key conditions.</p><h3>Methods: </h3><p>An international multi-center observational study of outcomes after open and endovascular interventions.</p><h3>Results: </h3><p>In an analysis of 1103 vascular intervention (57 centers in 19 countries), 71.6% were elective or scheduled procedures. Mean age was 67 ± 14 years (75.6% male). Suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection was documented in 4.0%. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 11.0% [aortic interventions mortality 15.2% (23/151), amputations 12.1% (28/232), carotid interventions 10.7% (11/103), lower limb revascularisations 9.8% (51/521)]. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [odds ratio (OR) 2.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30–3.15] and active lower respiratory tract infection due to any cause (OR 24.94, 95% CI 12.57–241.70) ware associated with mortality, whereas elective or scheduled cases were lower risk (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.22–0.73 and 0.60, 95% CI 0.45–0.98, respectively. After adjustment, antiplatelet (OR 0.503, 95% CI: 0.273–0.928) and oral anticoagulation (OR 0.411, 95% CI: 0.205–0.824) were linked to reduced risk of in-hospital mortality.</p><h3>Conclusions: </h3><p>Mortality after vascular interventions during this period was unexpectedly high. Suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases were uncommon. Therefore an alternative cause, for example, recommendations for delayed surgery, should be considered. The vascular community must anticipate longer term implications for survival.</p>