Implantation of Cardiac Electronic Devices in Active COVID-19 Patients. Results from an International Survey.

Abstract Background Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation rates, as well as the clinical and procedural characteristics and outcomes in patients with known active COVID-19 are unknown. Objective To gather information regarding CIED procedures during active COVID-19, performed with personal protective equipment, based on an international survey. Methods Fifty-three centers from 13 countries across 4 continents provided information on 166 patients with known active COVID-19 who underwent a CIED procedure. Results CIED procedure rate in 133,655 hospitalized COVID-19 patients ranged from 0 to 16.2 per 1000 patients (p Conclusion CIED procedure rates during known active COVID-19 disease varied greatly from 0 to 16.2 per 1000 hospitalized COVID-19 patients worldwide. Patients with active COVID-19 infection who underwent CIED implantation had high complication and mortality rates. Operators should take into consideration these risks prior to proceeding with CIED implantation in active COVID-19 patients.