CINCINNATI (APRIL 6, 2022) – New results from the North American COVID-19 ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NACMI) Registry reported a 25% reduction in early mortality in 2021 compared to 2020 among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and COVID-19 infection. STEMI is a severe heart attack that that affects the heart’s lower chambers when the artery to the heart is completely blocked.
The same study showed no deaths for patients that were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. Sixty-four medical centers across North America and Canada contributed data to the registry including The Christ Hospital Health Network.
In the initial findings, it was reported that 33% of North American patients with both COVID-19 and a STEMI died in the hospital. In the current study, patients who in 2020 were positive for COVID-19 and had experienced a STEMI, were compared with patients treated in 2021 when vaccines became commercially available.
“We are proud of the research conducted at The Christ Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute that contributed to this important study to better understand heart attack, COVID-19 and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2,” said Timothy Henry, MD, medical director of The Carl and Edyth Lindner Research Center at The Christ Hospital. “The results from the research are clear; vaccination is the greatest tool in avoiding worse health outcomes and even death after a diagnosis of COVID-19.”
Highlights from the research include:
• In 2021, none of the 22 vaccinated patients died in a hospital; in-hospital death was recorded in 22% of unvaccinated patients
• 586 COVID-positive patients with STEMI were included in the present analysis
• 227 treated in 2020; 359 treated in 2021
“The management and outcomes of STEMI patients with COVID-19 infection during the pandemic is evolving towards that of STEMI patients prior to the pandemic although mortality remains high for unvaccinated patients,” said Santiago Garcia, MD, lead author of the study. “The registry was established in 2020 with the aim to define baseline characteristics and management strategies and outcome data for COVID+ patients presenting with STEMI.”
Beginning April 14, Garcia will join The Christ Hospital Heart & Vascular Institute as a structural and interventional cardiologist.
These data were presented at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Session (ACC.22) and simultaneously published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and can be found here.
About The Christ Hospital Health Network
The Christ Hospital Health Network is an acute care hospital locate in Mt. Auburn with a remote hospital location in Liberty Township, five ambulatory outpatient centers and dozens of offices conveniently located throughout the region. More than 1,300 talented physicians and more than 6,000 dedicated team members support the Network. Its mission is to improve the health of the community and to create patient value by providing exceptional outcomes and the finest experiences, all in an affordable way. The Network has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the #1 hospital in the Cincinnati Region and awarded Healthgrades “America’s 50 Best Hospitals” for being in the top 1% in the nation for providing the highest clinical quality year over year. It is also a Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award recipient, which recognizes top-performing healthcare organizations that achieve the 95th percentile or above of performance in patient experience. The Christ Hospital is among a select number of hospitals in the nation to be awarded Magnet® recognition for nursing excellence. For more than 130 years, The Christ Hospital has provided compassionate care to those it serves.