The number of stress SPECT-MPI studies performed during the pandemic (n = 123) was significantly lower (P < 0.0001) compared with the mean number of procedures in the corresponding months of the years 2017, 2018, and 2019 (n = 413) (Fig. 1). However, the percentage of abnormal stress SPECT-MPI studies was similar (P = 0.65) during the pandemic (36%) compared with mean percentage value of the corresponding months of the years 2017, 2018, and 2019 (34%) (Fig. 2). Of note, given the mean number of 139 abnormal stress SPECT-MPI in the previous 3 years and the number of 44 abnormal tests during the pandemic, there was a 68% of abnormal test missed. Baseline characteristics of the entire population according to the year of SPECT-MPI execution are reported on Table 1. Most of the considered variables were comparable between the two study periods.
Fig. 1 Number of stress SPECT-MPI procedures performed during COVID-19 pandemic and during corresponding months of the years 2017, 2018, and 2019 (P for trend < 0.0001)
Fig. 2 Prevalence of abnormal stress SPECT-MPI studies during COVID-19 pandemic and during the corresponding months of the years 2017, 2018, and 2019. The percentage of abnormal stress SPECT-MPI studies was similar (P = 0.65)
Table 1 Baseline characteristics of overall population according to the year of MPI execution
All (n = 1361) 2020 (n = 123) 2017–2019 (n = 1238) P value
Age (years) 64 ± 11 64 ± 10 64 ± 11 0.14
Male gender, n (%) 439 (32) 29 (24) 410 (33) < .05
Body mass index (kg/m2) 29 ± 5 29 ± 5 29 ± 6 0.43
Chest pain, n (%) 468 (34) 37 (30) 431 (35) 0.29
Diabetes, n (%) 437 (32) 47 (38) 390 (32) 0.12
Dyspnea, n (%) 624 (46) 49 (40) 575 (46) 0.16
Family history, n (%) 729 (54) 60 (49) 669 (54) 0.26
Hypertension, n (%) 1070 (79) 102 (83) 968 (78) 0.22
Hyperlipidemia, n (%) 949 (70) 92 (75) 857 (69) 0.20
Smoking, n (%) 416 (31) 26 (21) 390 (32) < .05
Known CAD, n (%) 593 (44) 52 (42) 541 (44) 0.76
Stress type < .0001
  Physical exercise test, n (%) 519 (38) 11 (9) 508 (41)
  Pharmacological test, n (%) 842 (62) 112 (91) 730 (59)
Abnormal MPI, n (%) 462 (34) 44 (36) 418 (34) 0.65
Total perfusion defect > 10% 246 (53) 27 (61) 219 (52) 0.26
Values are expressed as mean value ± standard deviation or as number (percentage) of subjects. MPI myocardial perfusion imaging, CAD coronary artery disease