COVID-19 Clinicians Resource Hub Archive
As we all work together on the front lines to best serve our patients and lead COVID-19 response planning for our institutions; sharing our knowledge, experience and learning has never been so important.
The BCS is working together with our Affiliated Societies and following Public Health England advice to provide COVID-19 clinical guidance for the UK cardiovascular community.
Go to the main Resource Hub Page to access the latest updates, resources and learning.
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Articles Archive
Monday 18 May 2020:
ARTICLE: Acute heart failure in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) in the context of global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
"Children may experience an acute cardiac decompensation due to severe inflammatory state following SARS-CoV-2 infection (multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children - MIS-C). Treatment with immune globulin appears to be associated with recovery of left ventricular systolic function." From the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Thursday 14 May 2020:
ARTICLE: Estimating excess 1-year mortality associated with the COVID-19 pandemic according to underlying conditions and age: a population-based cohort study
"The medical, societal, and economic impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has unknown effects on overall population mortality. Previous models of population mortality are based on death over days among infected people, nearly all of whom thus far have underlying conditions. Models have not incorporated information on high-risk conditions or their longer-term baseline (pre-COVID-19) mortality." From the Lancet.
Wednesday 13 May 2020:
ARTICLE: Delivering healthcare remotely to cardiovascular patients during COVID-19: A rapid review of the evidence
"Although attention is focused on addressing the acute situation created by the COVID-19 illness, it is imperative to continue our efforts to prevent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, particularly during a period of prolonged social isolation which may limit physical activity, adversely affect mental health and reduce access to usual care." From the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.
Tuesday 12 May 2020:
ARTICLE: The role of cardiovascular imaging for myocardial injury in hospitalized COVID-19 patients
"The present paper aims to provide guidance to clinicians regarding the appropriateness of cardiac imaging in the context of troponin elevation and myocardial injury, how best to decipher the mechanism of myocardial injury, and how to guide patient management." From the European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging.
Thursday 7 May 2020:
ARTICLE: COVID-19 pandemic: the effects of quarantine on cardiovascular risk
"Quarantine carries some long-term effects on cardiovascular disease, mainly related to unhealthy lifestyle and anxiety. Following quarantine a global action supporting healthy diet and physical activity is mandatory to encourage people to return to good lifestyle."
Monday 4 May 2020:
ARTICLE: Risk of QT Interval Prolongation Associated With Use of Hydroxychloroquine With or Without Concomitant Azithromycin Among Hospitalized Patients Testing Positive for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
From the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)
Thursday 30 April 2020:
ARTICLE: Current perspectives on Coronavirus 2019 (COVID‐19) and cardiovascular disease
A white paper by the Journal of the American Heart Association editors.
Thursday 30 April 2020:
ARTICLE: Mental health care for medical staff and affiliated healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Matthew Walton, Esther Murray and Michael D Christian detail the effects on the mental health of staff and considerations for supporting them as part of the public health response to COVID-19.
Monday 27 April 2020:
Our Frontline
Developed to offer mental health support to NHS workers, carers, volunteers, emergency services workers and others on the frontline. Mental health charities have come together to launch an online platform to support those working on the frontline supporting Covid-19 patients and affected communities.
Thursday 23 April 2020
Recommendations: Screening for COVID-19 in Cardiothoracic Surgery
This letter from the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery (SCTS) details considerations, risks and advises on current best practice on how to proceed during the pandemic and continue to offer surgery to cardiac and thoracic patients. The SCTS encourages feedback on the document.
Thursday 23 April 2020
The Joint Royal Colleges Latest Intercollegiate Guidance:
Pre-Operative Chest CT Imaging for Elective Cancer Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Read the full guidance document..
Wednesday 22 April 2020:
COVID-19 New Research Framework Announced
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) & British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Partnership (BHF CP) today announced the launch of a new research framework to support flagship COVID-19 research projects across the UK. The BCS and BHF CRC believe the combined infrastructure can be repurposed to deliver impactful COVID-19 research across the UK. Read more...
Tuesday 14 April:
ARTICLE: COVID-19: Manchester Nightingale Takes Different Approach to London
Rachel Pugh discusses the difference between the approaches taken towards COVID-19 patients at the temporary NHS Nightingale hospitals in Manchester and London. Read the article...
Friday 10 April 2020:
BSH Letter to members: Retention of Essential Heart Failure Services during COVID-19 Pandemic
The British Society for Heart Failure (BSH) has today released a statement to accompany its recent infographic video.
It is endorsed by British Cardiovascular Society (BCS), Primary Care Cardiovascular Society (PCCS), The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the Alliance for Heart Failure. Read the statement...
Thursday 9 April 2020:
ARTICLE: Lives At Risk Due To 50% Drop In Heart Attack A&E Attendances
New data from hospitals across England show that the number of people seen in hospital with a suspected heart attack has halved since the beginning of March. The BHF is warning that thousands of people may be at greater risk of suffering long term heart damage, needing intensive care, or even dying as a result.
Wednesday 8 April 2020:
ARTICLE: Entry of Data into National Cardiac Audits During COVID-19
The British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) together with other professional Societies has sent a letter to members with regards to COVID-19 and the importance of continuing to collect and submit data to the National Cardiac Audits.
Tuesday 7 April 2020:
VIDEO: Imperial College London COVID-19 Cardiovascular Conference
Watch x4 webinars from the live event aimed at sharing current knowledge and key experiences of managing COVID-19 related Cardiovascular manifestations as well as key issues in team preparedness, prevention and command and control. Watch now..
Monday 6 April 2020:
BCS, BCIS & BHRS Letter to Members: PHE Updated Guidance on PPE
Public Health England (PHE) has now produced updated guidance on recommended PPE, endorsed by the four Chief Medical Officers. BCS, BCIS and BHRS would like to offer some guidance that interprets these principles in the context of cardiology-specific scenarios. Read the statement...
Friday 3 April 2020:
Public Health England Poster: PPE in a Clinical Context
Recommended PPE for healthcare workers by secondary care inpatient clinical setting, NHS and independent sector.
View/Download the poster.
Public Health England Poster: COVID-19 Safe Ways of Working
This poster provides a visual guide to safe PPE. View/Download poster.
Friday 3 April 2020:
EDITORIAL: Use of Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin for treatment of COVID-19 and its relation to QTc prolongation
Dr Alexander Tindale and Dr Shouvik Haldar on the repurposing of existing drugs with known antiviral effects for the treatment of COVID-19. Read the article...
Friday 3 April 2020:
ARTICLE: The Nightingale Hospital - By Dr Guy Lloyd
The facility, brought to operational readiness in less than two weeks, will be led by Consultant Cardiologist, Professor Charles Knight who BCS members will know well as the Chief Executive of St Bartholomew’s Hospital. Read the article...
Thursday 2 April 2020
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP): Ethical Guidance for Frontline Staff Dealing with Pandemic
Members of the RCP’s Committee on Ethical Issues in Medicine, chaired by Dr Alexis Paton, developed the guidance, which is supported by nine other Royal Colleges and five medical faculties. It takes into consideration recent joint statements from the General Medical Council (GMC), the NHS and the UK’s four Chief Medical Officers. Read the guidance...
Friday 27 March 2020:
ARTICLE: Cardiac Injury in COVID-19 Infection
An article by Dr Gareth Barnes and Dr Shouvik Haldar on Myocardial or cardiac injury, in patients admitted to hospital with typical COVID-19 symptoms.
Read the commentary...
Friday 27 March 2020:
Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Cardiology
This article explores the association between cardiac injury and patients with the Coronavirus.
Read more...
Friday 27 March 2020:
British Heart Foundation: Position statement on COVID-19 & Research.
Although the full implications will take some time to become clear, we intend to address the issues that arise as sympathetically and flexibly as possible. Read the update for researchers here...
Friday 27 March 2020:
Cardiac Injury in COVID-19 Infection
An article by Dr Gareth Barnes and Dr Shouvik Haldar on Myocardial or cardiac injury, in patients admitted to hospital with typical COVID-19 symptoms.
Read the commentary...
Friday 27 March 2020:
Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Cardiology
This article explores the association between cardiac injury and patients with the Coronavirus.
Read more...
Friday 27 March 2020:
British Heart Foundation: Position statement on COVID-19 & Research.
Although the full implications will take some time to become clear, we intend to address the issues that arise as sympathetically and flexibly as possible. Read the update for researchers here...
Wednesday 25 March 2020:
UKMCS & BCS Joint statement on risk assessment of pregnant women with heart disease during COVID-19.
Background and scope: Public Health England has included pregnant women with ‘significant heart disease’ in the group defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID 19 and advised that they should be shielded for at least 12 weeks.
Read the statement...
Tuesday 24 March 2020:
BCS & BCIS Joint statement regarding cardiology services during COVID-19
The statement released yesterday by the two societies, provides commentary on the the latest NHS England specialty guidance on the provision of cardiology services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more...
Thursday 19 March 2020:
Heart Blog. Cardiologists and Coronavirus:
Looking after ourselves and each other so we can continue to look after patients
Thursday 19 March 2020:
A Joint statement from the BCS & BSH
Prioritisation of heart failure service provision during COVID-19
Thursday 19 March 2020:
European Heart Journal Article
Coronaviruses and the cardiovascular system: acute and long-term implications
Monday 16 March 2020:
A Joint statement from the BCS & BSH
Treatment of patients with ACEi or ARB in relation to COVID-19
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Updates from across our community
NHS England / Scotland / Northern Ireland and Wales
Tuesday 31 March 2020:
NHS Guidelines - Remote Working & Remote Patient Management During the Coronavirus Pandemic.
This clinical specialty guide is for the management of remote consultations and remote working in secondary care .
Friday 27 March 2020:
NHS Guidelines - Redeploying your secondary care medical workforce safely
This guidance supports trusts to safely redeploy their secondary care medical workforce during the prolonged major incident caused by the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and is applicable only in exceptional circumstances. View or download.
Monday 23 March 2020:
National Institute for Healthcare and Excellence
NICE COVID-19 rapid guideline: critical care
Monday 23 March 2020:
Health Education England (HEE)
Programme created by HEE e-Learning for Healthcare (HEE e-LfH) in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.
Monday 23 March 2020:
NHS Speciality guides for patient management during the coronavirus pandemic
Clinical guide for the management of cardiology patients during the coronavirus pandemic
The latest UK Government Coronavirus information for healthcare professionals.
Information on COVID-19, including guidance on the assessment and management of suspected UK cases.
COVID-19: guidance for health professionals
Tuesday 17 March 2020:
New Government Structures to respond to COVID-19
Tuesday 31 March 2020:
European Society of Cardiology (ESC)
In this video, Barbara Casadei, ESC President,and Alida Caforio address important points on: Cardiac complications in COVID-19: myocarditis.
Watch now...
Friday 27 March 2020:
ARTICLE: American College of Cardiology - COVID-19 & Cardiovascular Disease
Investigators review and summarise the rapidly evolving data regarding evidence linking COVID-19 with increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. Ready the study.
Tuesday 24 March 2020:
VIDEO: European Society of Cardiology (ESC)
In this video, Barbara Casadei, ESC President, shares two very important messages on COVID-19 and the treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease.
Watch now...
Monday 23 March 2020:
World Health Organisation (WHO)
Interim recommendations for the rational use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare and community settings, as well as during the handling of cargo; in this context, PPE includes gloves, medical masks, goggles or a face shield, and gowns, as well as for specific procedures, respirators (i.e. N95 or FFP2 standard or equivalent) and aprons.
Rational use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Saturday 21 March 2020:
VIDEO: European Society of Cardiology (ESC)
Acute Coronary Syndromes in COVID-19: How to get your unit ready.
By Prof Susanna Price.
Saturday 21 March 2020:
VIDEO: European Society of Cardiology (ESC)
Cardiac Care in the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Important points addressed by Prof Maddalena Lettino.
Thursday 19 March 2020:
ARTICLE: European Heart Journal (EHJ)
Coronaviruses and the cardiovascular system: acute and long-term implications
Thursday 19 March 2020:
ESC WEBINAR: COVID-19 Severe Case Management
Held in partnership with the Chinese Cardiovascular Association addressing the management of severe cases of COVID-19.
(Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3).
Wednesday 18 March 2020:
ESC Council on Hypertension (ECH)/ ESH
Position Statement on: Hypertension on ACE-Inhibitors and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
Wednesday 18 March 2020:
ESC WEBINAR: Epidemiology, CVD Treatment & Management
Held in partnership with the Chinese Cardiovascular Association addressing myocardial injury with COVID-19 and the latest guidelines published by the Chinese College of Cardiovascular Physicians.
Watch the Webinar .
Wednesday 18 March 2020:
ESC WEBINAR: MedAxiom COVID-19 & the CV Service Line: Practical Approaches For an Unprecedented Pandemic.Cardiovascular clinical and administrative leaders share their experiences and thoughts on how to best manage the COVID-19 pandemic.
Watch the Webinar .
Wednesday 1 April 2020:
British Society for Heart Failure (BSH)
The BSH has today written to NHS and PHE to formally request that symptomatic heart failure patients be recognised by the government as an extremely vulnerable group who should be shielded alongside those people most at risk of severe illness requiring hospitalisation if they catch coronavirus. Read the letter.
Monday 30 March 2020:
British Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (BACPR)
Guidance Regarding Provision of Cardiac Rehabilitation Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Read the statement...
Wednesday 25 March 2020:
UKMCS & BCS Joint statement on risk assessment of pregnant women with heart disease during COVID-19
Background and scope: Public Health England has included pregnant women with ‘significant heart disease’ in the group defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID 19 and advised that they should be shielded for at least 12 weeks. Read the statement..
Tuesday 24 March 2020:
BCS & BCIS Joint statement regarding cardiology services during COVID-19
The statement released yesterday by the two societies, provides commentary on the the latest NHS England specialty guidance on the provision of cardiology services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more...
Monday 23 March 2020:
VIDEO: British Junior Cardiologists Association (BJCA)
Emergency echocardiography by Dr Nina Karia.
How to handle a probe in the acute situation.
Watch Now...
Monday 23 March 2020:
Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT)
Guidance for Use of Cardiac Computed Tomography Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
Monday 23 March 2020:
British Society of Echocardiography
UPDATED Clinical guidance regarding provision of echocardiography during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Monday 23 March 2020:
British Heart Rhythm Society (BHRS)
BHRS has a dedicated page for members. It includes latest guidelines, ideas and policies on COVID-19.
Thursday 19 March 2020:
A Joint statement from the BCS & BSH
Prioritisation of heart failure service provision during COVID-19
Tuesday 17 March 2020
BCIS Statement on COVID-19
[Excerpt]...."As a group, our reaction to the challenges thrown at us by the COVID-19 pandemic needs to be reasoned, calm, positive and energetic. There has been much discussion and debate about specific approaches to this evolving crisis.." Read the full statement...
Clinical perspectives and insights from the front line
Monday 30 March 2020:
Medscape Video
COVID-19: Reconfiguration of Cardiac Services and Delivery of Cardiovascular Care.
Watch now...
Monday 30 March 2020:
European Heart Journal
Life-threatening cardiac tamponade complicating myo-pericarditis in COVID-19.
Read more...
Friday 27 March 2020:
Heart Podcast & Blog: Cardiologists & Coronavirus
Looking after ourselves and each other so we can continue to look after patients
Listen online now... OR Read the blog...
Thursday 26 March 2020:
COVID-19 and the Heart: Insights from the Front Lines
As COVID-19 cases go global, a picture is emerging as to its CV impact and how cardiologists in hard-hit regions are coping. Read more.
Friday 20 March 2020:
COVID-19: Reflections after a meeting with Colleagues.
By Rob Wright, Consultant Cardiologist & RCP Censor
Friday 20 March 2020:
COVID-19 Experience from Veneto, Italy.
By dott. Daniele Prati.
ESC Clinical Perspectives and front line experience
NHS
For information on the public information campaign visit nhs.uk/coronavirus.
Arrhythmia Alliance (AA)
26 March 2020: Arrhythmia Alliance, AF Association and STARS (Syncope Trust And Reflex anoxic Seizures) have seen a huge increase in enquiries from patients and carers with concerns about their specific arrhythmia and how COVID-19 (coronavirus) might affect their condition and medication/device. Please do not hesitate to call our dedicated helpline or email – we are here to help and reassure you. Contact details and further advice are in the newsletter.
Association for Inherited Cardiac Conditions (AICC)
25 March 2020: The AICC wish to provide some guidance for its members in advising their patients with ICCs about COVID-19. This advice is consistent with that submitted to Specialist Commissioning and expected to be available on-line from NHS England and through 111. Read the guidance here.
BHF
Coronavirus: what it means for you if you have heart or circulatory disease
British Congenital Cardiac Association (BCCA)
Guidance for vulnerable groups with congenital heart disease.
Heart UK - The Cholesterol Charity
Information for GP's and prescribers on how best to manage cholesterol during the coronavirus pandemic