Journal Article

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on myocardial perfusion imaging for ischemic heart disease

Zampella Emilia, Cuocolo Alberto, Nappi Carmela, Acampa Wanda, Gaudieri Valeria, Green, Roberta, Mannarino, Teresa, Assante Roberta, Cantoni Valeria, Petretta Mario, Megna Rosario

2021

Overview

PurposeWe assessed the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) for ischemic heart disease during the lockdown imposed by the Italian Government.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the number and the findings of stress single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)-MPI performed between February and May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic at the University of Napoli Federico II. The number and the findings of stress SPECT-MPI studies acquired in the corresponding months of the years 2017, 2018, and 2019 were also evaluated for direct comparison.ResultsThe number of stress SPECT-MPI studies performed during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 123) was significantly lower (P < 0.0001) compared with the mean yearly number of procedures performed in the corresponding months of the years 2017, 2018, and 2019 (n = 413). Yet, the percentage of abnormal stress SPECT-MPI studies was similar (P = 0.65) during the pandemic (36%) compared with the mean percentage value of the corresponding period of the years 2017, 2018, and 2019 (34%).ConclusionThe number of stress SPECT-MPI studies was significantly reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with the corresponding months of the previous 3 years. The lack of difference in the prevalence of abnormal SPECT-MPI studies between the two study periods strongly suggests that many patients with potentially abnormal imaging test have been missed during the pandemic.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Cardiovascular disease / Computed tomography / Coronary artery disease / Coronaviruses / COVID-19 / Heart diseases / Ischemia / Medical imaging / Pandemics / Perfusion / Photon emission / Single photon emission computed tomography / Tomography