Impact of COVID-19 on Arrhythmia Care Delivery

Purpose of review The goal of this review is to provide the reader with an overview of how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected the management of arrhythmias. Recent findings Many aspects of electrophysiology (EP) care required augmentation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, EP physicians were often reallocated to the care of non-EP patients due to limitations in hospital staffing and increased hospitalizations. To limit viral exposure for clinicians and patients, various changes were implemented, including an increased reliance on telehealth and other remote technologies for outpatient management. A reduction in in-patient elective procedures was observed across the world, in addition to many changes to normal healthcare protocols, including expediting post-procedural hospital discharges. EP physicians were required to quickly learn about how COVID-19 affects arrhythmia development and care. Summary Arrhythmia care was greatly impacted for patients both with and without the COVID-19 infection. General guidelines were established and required prompt institution into healthcare practice.