Introduction: Cardiac Disease in the Pandemic Era: Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks?

Nowadays, cardiac diseases, both developed de novo and acute exacerbations of chronic conditions, remain the most prominent death cause for the middle-aged and elderly, mostly in the developed, industrialized countries.

Since the end of 2019, COVID-19 pandemics have changed our lifestyles fundamentally, and maybe we will never find a way to return to the world of 2019. This catastrophic change had its impact on almost every aspect of our lives, including how we will manage cardiac arrest patients, how to perform perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), ACLS, etc. A net effect is that protecting ourselves will take priority (more than before) in all procedures we pursue. Thus we can conclude that new generations should incorporate self-protecting behavior and techniques to benefit the patients in the most fruitful ways.

High-quality CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation is among the most prominent issues to save humanity from the high burden of cardiac events. Relatively novel techniques such as mechanized devices for CPR, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and therapeutic temperature management promise the highest possible solution to improve survival rates, in conjunction with urgent coronary angiography with revascularization.

Pandemics can be overcome not by the heroic behaviors of a few people but by the solidarity of society. The medical community should find the best solutions to help those in need with cardiac diseases even in pandemic conditions since this pandemic will not go away like magic. The aim of this book is to support patients and their next of kin, as well as health care workers, those who have dedicated themselves to healthy well-being with their relentless endeavor.

Keywords: Cardiac arrest, Cardiac arrhythmias, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, COVID-19 pandemics, Defibrillation, Treatment.