Pandemic Increased Risk For Negative Cardiac Surgery Outcomes, But Socioeconomic Status Did Not Impact Surgical Outcomes During That Time, Study Finds
Healio (3/10, Firment) reported, “The COVID-19 pandemic increased risk for negative cardiac surgery outcomes, but socioeconomic status did not significantly affect surgical outcomes during the pandemic, researchers” found in a study published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. But, the investigators “said the lack of individuals from distressed communities undergoing surgical procedures during the pandemic may indicate further issues in health care availability for distressed communities.” Researchers came to these conclusions after analyzing data on approximately 38,000 individuals “undergoing a Society of Thoracic Surgeons...index operation in one of the 17 medical centers included in the Virginia Cardiac Services Quality Initiative between July 2011 and May 2022.”