European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

The COVID-19 crisis has surged worldwide putting immense stress on the health care services, leading to institutions deferring elective procedures and struggling to triage the emergency care of the cardiac patient. This has affected the management of the rheumatic valvular heart disease patient especially in Asia and other developing countries, potentially placing these patients at enormous risk for complications like congestive cardiac failure, stroke and death. In this current review, we explore the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the cardiovascular disease patient with special emphasis on rheumatic valvular heart disease care. We try to provide a framework that address the procedural considerations of interventions like percutaneous transluminal mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) and mitral and aortic valve surgeries. We also highlight the implications for the outpatient valve clinic and address the safety issues of the patient and health care workers during this on-going COVID-19 pandemic.