The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinical Practices of Cardiologists.

ABSTRACT

Cardiology clinics' activities were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to examine how the pandemic changed the anxiety levels of cardiologists and their management of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A survey was conducted among 375 cardiologists and data on their demographics, anxiety levels, ACS patients and their treatment, coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary interventions preferences were collected. It was found that 41.9% of the cardiologists had moderate or higher anxiety disorder. The results also showed that fewer ACS patients came to the hospital, and they came later than usual. A decrease in CAG/PCI rates for NSTEMI and USAP patients, and an increase in thrombolytic therapy for STEMI patients were observed.The psychological state of cardiologists, the care of ACS patients and the procedural activities were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.