The comparison between characteristics and outcomes of elective adult cardiac surgeries during the COVID-۱۹ pandemic and the previous year: a cross-sectional study of an early experience in a COVID-۱۹ epicenter

Background: COVID-۱۹ led to an outbreak making surgeons doubt continuing elective surgeriesduring the pandemic. There is little evidence about the outcomes of elective cardiac surgeries duringthe pandemic. Questions exist regarding a higher prevalence of perioperative complications and mortalityrates. This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of elective cardiac surgeries during the pandemicin comparison to the previous year. Method: This cross-sectional study discusses electivecardiac surgeries performed during the COVID-۱۹ peak from March ۲۰۲۰ to March ۲۰۲۱ at theShahid Modarres Hospital and compares the outcomes (mortality, infection, and stroke) with theprevious year. We included all candidates over ۲۰ years old after evaluating them for COVID-۱۹ withpolymerase chain reaction and chest computed tomography scan. We collected the data from our institutionaldatabase and performed data analysis. Results: We performed ۱۸۴ adult open-heart surgeriesduring the COVID-۱۹ peak. The male-to-female ratio was ۵۰.۵% to ۴۹.۵% with a mean age of ۶۱. ۹patients died in total during the peak compared to ۱۷ patients out of ۳۴۱ surgeries in the previous year.۲ patients were involved with sternal wound infection and ۳ with stroke. We recognized no significantdifference in mortality, sternal wound infection, and stroke between the two periods. Conclusion:Although we should consider the probable complications of the infection during the pandemic, cardiacsurgery can be performed safely in COVID-۱۹ centers. Effective protocols are required to createan environment free of infection to alleviate the burden of perioperative complications during thisperiod.