Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a pediatric cardiovascular surgery program of a public hospital from Argentina./ Impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en un programa de cirugía cardiovascular pediátrica de un hospital público de Argentina

Rodríguez, Ricardo; Althabe, María; Krynski, Mariela; Montonati, Mercedes; Pilan, María L; Desocio, Belén; Moreno, Guillermo; Salgado, Gladys; Cornelis, Javier; Lenz, Miriam

OBJECTIVE: To describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a pediatric cardiovascular surgery program and estimate the necessary time to reduce the surgery waiting list. METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive study. Surgical outcomes from the pre-COVID-19 period and COVID-19 period were compared. A mathematical model was used to estimate the time necessary to reduce the waiting list. RESULTS: Between March 23rd and August 31st, 2020, 83 patients underwent surgery, accounting for a 60 % reduction compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. Their median age was 6 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 25-75, 1.8 months to 2.9 years; p = 0.0023). The time necessary to eliminate the waiting list ranges from 10 to 19 months. CONCLUSIONS: There was a 60 % reduction in the program. The time required to clear the backlog of cases may range from, at least, 10 to 19 months.