The Impact of COVID-19 Era on Pulmonary Embolism Patients: Increased Incidence of Hospitalizations and Higher Mortality—What Can Be Done?

Abstract

The coronavirus disease outbreak in 2019 (COVID-19) reached devastating pandemic proportions, still representing a challenge for all healthcare workers. Furthermore, the social environment underwent significant changes and healthcare facilities were overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients. The purpose of our study was to compare the prevalence, characteristics and outcomes of 234 patients presenting with pulmonary embolism diagnosed by computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) during the COVID-19 pandemic, to patients presenting with PE one year before, aiming to assess differences and similarities between these patients. Or main findings were: patients with PE had worse survival during the pandemic, there was an increased incidence of PE among hospitalizations in our cardiology unit during the COVID-19 pandemic, and patients hospitalized with PE during the pandemic were more likely to be obese, allowing us to infer that weight control can have a positive impact on preventing PE. Future research should establish optimal therapeutic, epidemiological and economical strategies for non-COVID patients, as the pandemic continues to put significant burden on the healthcare systems worldwide.