Abstract 14751: Gender Based Implications in Cardiovascular Presentation and Management in South Asia Region - Pre and Post Covid Analysis
Introduction: Gender disparity in treatment approach is a common observation which could be society driven. COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in reduction in presentation of cardiovascular (CV) diseases. Hence, we analyzed if or not, the drop in presentation was comparable in both the genders and if this had impacted our approach in managing them. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study at our center, which is a tertiary care hospital located in largest city of Pakistan. Emergency department (ED) electronic registry was accessed for patients presenting with CV symptoms or diagnosis for same months of 2019 and 2020. Comparison was made for both genders in terms of patient presentation and treatment approach used. Results: A total of 536 and 385 consultations were raised for CV reasons for males and females respectively for year 2019 (Mar-Apr). This dropped to 264 and 166 in Mar-Apr 2020. This meant 57% reduction in consults raised for females and 51% reduction for males. ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) and Non-STEMI admissions dropped by 58% and 62% respectively for males and it dropped by 40% (STEMI) and 60% (NSTEMI) in females. All cardiac catheterization lab (CCL) procedures dropped by 46% in males and 60% in females. More females were treated with medical management than males (10 % increase versus 35% decrease). Conclusion: Pandemic impact on CV disease exhibited gender disparity. In this part of the world, there was greater inclination to treat females with medical management. This held true for CCL procedures too. There was greater reduction in number of CV consults raised for females. However, drop in cases of CVD was greater in males. This is an eye opener towards gender disparity in setting of low to middle income country during the pandemic. There is a need to urge physicians to reconsider their choices of non-invasive strategy in female gender. Additionally, there is a greater need to reinforce male gender to present for their CV symptoms to ED.