COVID-19 related mortality in post-operative cardiac surgical patients

Background COVID-19 has caused a global pandemic of unprecedented proportions. Elective cardiac surgery has been universally postponed with only urgent and emergency cardiac operations being performed. The National Health Service in the United Kingdom introduced national measures to conserve intensive care beds and significantly limit elective activity shortly after lockdown. Case presentation We report two cases of early post-operative mortality secondary to COVID-19 infection immediately prior to the implementation of these widespread measures. Conclusion The role of cardiac surgery in the presence of COVID-19 is still very unpredictable and further studies on both short term and long term outcomes are warranted.

Automated summary

COVID-19 pandemic has led to postponement of elective cardiac surgeries and only urgent and emergency operations are being performed. This report highlights early post-operative mortality cases related to COVID-19 infection prior to national measures implemented in the UK to conserve intensive care resources and limit elective activities. Further studies are needed to understand the impact of COVID-19 on cardiac surgery outcomes in both short term and long term.