Heart failure: Analysis of hospital morbidity during the period prior to the beginning of the pandemic and during the pandemic period

Abstract

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome that occurs when the heart is not pumping sufficiently to meet the body's needs. On the other hand, COVID-19 is related to important systemic impacts on human beings, especially those with HF, causing important complications for both the patient and the healthcare system. Objective: To evaluate existing data before and after the COVID-19 pandemic relating the morbidity of heart failure to hospital levels and its repercussions on the health system and the patient's life. Methodology: Data were collected via the platform of the IT department of the Unified Health System (DATASUS), corresponding to the period from January 2018 to December 2022. Data were analyzed in relation to the number of hospitalizations, average cost per patient, number of deaths and mortality rate related to HF. Results: In relation to the number of hospitalized patients, there was a decrease during the pandemic period, however, the average cost per patient and the mortality rate increased significantly. Conclusion: A decrease in hospitalization numbers can be justified by social isolation measures, preventive measures to combat COVID-19 and the increase in the mortality rate combined with the average cost per patient, can be justified by a decrease in the management of these pathologies and when intervention measures were necessary, some patients were in an advanced stage of the disease.