Impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 sobre un programa de consulta electrónica universal (e-consulta) entre médicos de Atención Primaria y cardiólogos / Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic above a universal electronic consultation program (e-consultation) between general practitioners and cardiologists

Introducción y objetivos Los programas de telemedicina entre clínico y paciente se han desarrollado con fuerza durante la pandemia de enfermedad por COVID-19, pero no hay datos de experiencias entre clínicos. Nuestro objetivo es analizar el impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en la actividad y resultados en salud de un programa de consulta electrónica universal (e-consulta) para todas las derivaciones de pacientes entre médicos de atención primaria y el Servicio de Cardiología de nuestra área. Métodos Analizamos mediante regresión logística a 25.121 pacientes con al menos una e-consulta entre 2018 y 2021 realizada con el Servicio de Cardiología de nuestra área sanitaria. También se realizó el análisis de regresión logística del impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 sobre la resolución de la e-consulta y tiempo de espera de la atención, hospitalizaciones y mortalidad, tomando como referencia las consultas realizadas durante 2018. Resultados Observamos que una menor demora en la atención y resolución de la e-consulta (sin necesidad de atención presencial) se asociaba a un mejor pronóstico. Los períodos de pandemia COVID-19 presentaron similares resultados a los del 2018. Conclusiones Los resultados de nuestro estudio muestran una significativa reducción de las derivaciones a través de e-consulta durante el primer año de la pandemia por COVID-19 con recuperación posterior de la demanda asistencial sin que los períodos de pandemia se asociasen con peores resultados en salud. La reducción del tiempo de demora de resolución de la e-consulta y el grupo sin necesidad de consulta presencial se asociaron a un mejor pronóstico (AU)

Blackground and objective Virtual healthcare models, usually between healthcare professionals and patients, have developed strongly during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but there are not data of models between clinicians. Our objective is to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activity and health outcomes of the universal e-consultation program for patient referrals between primary care physicians and the Cardiology Department in our area. Methods Patients with at least one e-consultation between 2018 and 2021 were selected. We analysed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on activity and waiting time for care, hospitalizations and mortality, taking as a reference the consultations carried out during 2018. Results We analysed 25,121 patients. Through logistic regression analysis, it was observed that a shorter delay in care and resolution of the e-consultation without the need for face-to-face care were associated with a better prognosis. The COVID-19 pandemic periods (2019-2020 and 2020-2021) were not associated with worse health outcomes compared to 2018. Conclusions The results of our study show a significant reduction in e-consult referrals during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic with a subsequent recovery in the demand for care without the pandemic periods being associated with worse outcomes. The reduction in the time elapsed for solving the e-consult and no need for in-person visit were associated with better outcomes (AU)

[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic above a universal electronic consultation program (e-consultation) between general practitioners and cardiologists]. / Impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 sobre un programa de consulta electrónica universal (e-consulta) entre médicos de Atención Primaria y cardiólogos.

Blackground and objective: Virtual healthcare models, usually between healthcare professionals and patients, have developed strongly during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but there are not data of models between clinicians. Our objective is to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activity and health outcomes of the universal e-consultation program for patient referrals between primary care physicians and the Cardiology Department in our area. Methods: Patients with at least one e-consultation between 2018 and 2021 were selected. We analysed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on activity and waiting time for care, hospitalizations and mortality, taking as a reference the consultations carried out during 2018. Results: We analysed 25,121 patients. Through logistic regression analysis, it was observed that a shorter delay in care and resolution of the e-consultation without the need for face-to-face care were associated with a better prognosis. The COVID-19 pandemic periods (2019-2020 and 2020-2021) were not associated with worse health outcomes compared to 2018. Conclusions: The results of our study show a significant reduction in e-consult referrals during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic with a subsequent recovery in the demand for care without the pandemic periods being associated with worse outcomes. The reduction in the time elapsed for solving the e-consult and no need for in-person visit were associated with better outcomes.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon a universal electronic consultation program (e-consultation) between general practitioners and cardiologists.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Virtual healthcare models, usually between healthcare professionals and patients, have developed strongly during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, but there are no data corresponding to models between clinicians. An analysis was made of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon the activity and health outcomes of the universal e-consultation program for patient referrals between primary care physicians and the Cardiology Department in our healthcare area. METHODS: Patients with at least one e-consultation between 2018 and 2021 were selected. We analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon activity and waiting time for care, hospitalizations and mortality, taking as reference the consultations carried out during 2018. RESULTS: A total of 25,121 patients were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis showed a shorter delay in care and resolution of the e-consultation without the need for face-to-face care to be associated to a better prognosis. The COVID-19 pandemic periods (2019-2020 and 2020-2021) were not associated to poorer health outcomes compared to 2018. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study show a significant reduction in e-consultation referrals during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a subsequent recovery in the demand for care, and without the pandemic periods being associated to poorer outcomes. The reduction in time elapsed for resolving the e-consultations and no need for face-to-face visits were associated to improved outcomes.

Tratamiento hipolipemiante en la era COVID-19 / Lipid treatment in the period COVID-19

ANTECEDENTES Y OBJETIVOS: La pandemia por COVID-19 ha puesto de manifiesto que las enfermedades cardiovasculares conllevan mayor riesgo de mortalidad. Han surgido dudas en cuanto a la terapia lipídica en estos pacientes. Nuestro objetivo en esta revisión es analizar la eficacia y la seguridad de la terapia hipolipemiante en los pacientes con COVID-19. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó una revisión de la literatura científica en PubMed, informes CDC, NIH y NCBI SARS-CoV-2 utilizando las palabras clave: COVID-19, statins, ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, hypercholesterolemia and hypolipidemic drugs. RESULTADOS: Las estatinas se deben seguir utilizando en los pacientes con COVID-19 en base a su eficacia, seguridad, efectos inmunosupresores, antiinflamatorios, disponibilidad y accesibilidad. En función de los niveles de riesgo cardiovascular de estos pacientes puede ser necesario el empleo de estatinas de alta potencia y/o ezetimiba y/o inhibidores de la proproteína convertasa subtilisina (iPCSK9) en pacientes de alto y muy alto riesgo cardiovascular. Los pacientes tratados con iPCSK9 deben seguir con el tratamiento por sus efectos beneficiosos sobre la prevención de la enfermedad cardiovascular. Los pacientes con hipercolesterolemia familiar y COVID-19 son especialmente vulnerables a la enfermedad cardiovascular precoz y deben seguir recibiendo el tratamiento hipolipemiante intensivo. CONCLUSIONES: En los pacientes con COVID-19 la mayoría de las enfermedades cardiovasculares basales son de origen aterosclerótico, con peor pronóstico para los pacientes con alto riesgo y muy alto riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular. En estos pacientes el tratamiento intensivo con estatinas y/o combinación fija con ezetimiba y/o iPCSK9 juega un papel fundamental

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that cardiovascular diseases carry a higher risk of mortality. Doubts have been raised regarding lipid therapy in these patients. The objectives are to analyze the efficacy and safety of lipid lowering therapy in patients with COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review of the scientific literature was conducted in PubMed, CDC Reports, NIH, and NCBI SARS-CoV-2 using the keywords: COVID-2, statins, ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, hypercholesterolemia, and hypolipidemic drugs. RESULTS: The statins should continue to use patients with COVID-19 based on their efficacy, safety, immunosuppressive effects, anti-inflammatory availability and accessibility. Depending on the cardiovascular risk levels of these patients, the use of high potency statins and/or ezetimibe and/or iPCSK9 may be necessary in patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk. Patients treated with iPCSK9 should continue treatment for its beneficial effects in preventing cardiovascular disease. Patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and COVID-19 are especially vulnerable to cardiovascular disease and should continue to receive severe lipid lowering therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with COVID-19, the majority of baseline CVDs are of atherosclerotic origin, with the worst prediction for patients with high risk and very high risk of CVD. In these patients, intensive treatment with statins and/or fixed combination with ezetimibe and/or iPCSK9 plays a fundamental role

[Lipid treatment in the period COVID-19]. / Tratamiento hipolipemiante en la era COVID-19.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that cardiovascular diseases carry a higher risk of mortality. Doubts have been raised regarding lipid therapy in these patients. The objectives are to analyze the efficacy and safety of lipid lowering therapy in patients with COVID-19. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review of the scientific literature was conducted in PubMed, CDC Reports, NIH, and NCBI SARS-CoV-2 using the keywords: COVID-2, statins, ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, hypercholesterolemia, and hypolipidemic drugs. RESULTS: The statins should continue to use patients with COVID-19 based on their efficacy, safety, immunosuppressive effects, anti-inflammatory availability and accessibility. Depending on the cardiovascular risk levels of these patients, the use of high potency statins and/or ezetimibe and/or iPCSK9 may be necessary in patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk. Patients treated with iPCSK9 should continue treatment for its beneficial effects in preventing cardiovascular disease. Patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and COVID-19 are especially vulnerable to cardiovascular disease and should continue to receive severe lipid lowering therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with COVID-19, the majority of baseline CVDs are of atherosclerotic origin, with the worst prediction for patients with high risk and very high risk of CVD. In these patients, intensive treatment with statins and/or fixed combination with ezetimibe and/or iPCSK9 plays a fundamental role.