Temporal Dynamics of Acute Coronary Syndromes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Comparative Analysis Across Pre-Pandemic, Pandemic, and Post-Pandemic Phases

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, disrupted global healthcare systems and significantly influenced cardiovascular health. This study examines the temporal trends of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), including ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and unstable angina pectoris (USAP), across pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at a single tertiary cardiovascular center involving patients diagnosed with ACS from January 2018 to June 2024. Patients were stratified into three cohorts: pre-pandemic (January 2018-February 2020), pandemic (March 2020-April 2022), and post-pandemic (May 2022-June 2024). Results: The incidence of STEMI and NSTEMI significantly increased in the post-pandemic period compared to those in the other periods (p