Safe Reintroduction of Cardiovascular Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Guidance from North American Society Leadership

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to marked global morbidity and mortality. There have been appropriate but significant restrictions on routine medical care to comply with public health guidance on physical distancing, and to help preserve or redirect limited resources. Most invasive cardiovascular (CV) procedures and diagnostic tests have been deferred with North American cardiovascular societies advocating for intensified triage and management of patients on waiting lists. Unfortunately, patients with untreated cardiovascular disease are at increased risk of adverse outcomes5 . Delays in the treatment of patients with confirmed cardiovascular disease will be detrimental. Similarly, reduced access to diagnostic testing will lead to a high burden of undiagnosed cardiovascular disease that will further delay time to treatment. Although there will be a myriad of competing demands from multiple disciplines, this risk warrants the prioritization of cardiovascular patients as healthcare systems return to normal capacity.