Impact of the earthquake disaster in Türkiye on the use of cardiac implantable electronic devices and clinical presentation of patients

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the earthquake on the indication for cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) and whether it had an effect on the hospitalization clinics of the patients in our cardiology clinic in Hatay province of Türkiye. Materials and Methods: A total of 186 consecutive patients who underwent an CIED (CRT, ICD, VVIR/DDDR) implantation in our clinic in the 1-year period before (n=120) and after the earthquake (n=66) were retrospectively included in our study. Results: CIED rates were similar between the pre- and post-earthquake groups. Cardiac devices were not implanted in our clinic during the first 3 months after the earthquake. The severity of coronary artery disease and the rates of previous interventional coronary procedures were similar between the pre- and post-earthquake groups. New York Heart Association (NYHA) class was significantly higher in the pre-earthquake group compared to the post-earthquake group (NYHA III-IV rates were 24.3% and 9.4%, respectively). Complication and mortality rates after CIED implantation before and after the earthquake were similar. Conclusion: Although the devastating earthquake reduced the number of CIED implantations in our clinic, the rates were similar. Patient groups with decompensated heart failure findings were detected less frequently after the earthquake.