The current evolving global pandemic caused by coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) has dramatically impacted global health care systems, resulting in governments taking unprecedented measures to contain the spread of the infection, with adaptations by health care organizations. Research into understanding the pathophysiology behind this virus, to ascertain best medical management and treatment, has been accelerated to keep up with the rapidly evolving situation. There has been redeployment of medical and nursing staff to the frontlines and redistribution of health care resources. In addition, the cancellation of elective surgery and centralization of services to treat high‐risk surgical cases will all, undeniably, have an impact on current surgical training with possible future implications. We aim to explore the impact COVID‐19 is having on cardiac surgical training in the UK and what future implications this may have.

Background Recent reports have demonstrated high troponin levels in patients affected with COVID-19. In the present study, we aimed to determine the association between admission and peak troponin levels and COVID-19 outcomes. Methods This was an observational multi-ethnic multi-centre study in a UK cohort of 434 patients admitted and diagnosed COVID-19 positive, across six hospitals in London, UK during the second half of March 2020. Results Myocardial injury, defined as positive troponin during admission was observed in 288 (66.4%) patients. Age (OR: 1.68 [1.49–1.88], p < .001), hypertension (OR: 1.81 [1.10–2.99], p = .020) and moderate chronic kidney disease (OR: 9.12 [95% CI: 4.24–19.64], p < .001) independently predicted myocardial injury. After adjustment, patients with positive peak troponin were more likely to need non-invasive and mechanical ventilation (OR: 2.40 [95% CI: 1.27–4.56], p = .007, and OR: 6.81 [95% CI: 3.40–13.62], p < .001, respectively) and urgent renal replacement therapy (OR: 4.14 [95% CI: 1.34–12.78], p = .013). With regards to events, and after adjustment, positive peak troponin levels were independently associated with acute kidney injury (OR: 6.76 [95% CI: 3.40–13.47], p < .001), venous thromboembolism (OR: 11.99 [95% CI: 3.20–44.88], p < .001), development of atrial fibrillation (OR: 10.66 [95% CI: 1.33–85.32], p = .026) and death during admission (OR: 2.40 [95% CI: 1.34–4.29], p = .003). Similar associations were observed for admission troponin. In addition, median length of stay in days was shorter for patients with negative troponin levels: 8 (5–13) negative, 14 (7–23) low-positive levels and 16 (10–23) high-positive ( p < .001). Conclusions Admission and peak troponin appear to be predictors for cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular events and outcomes in COVID-19 patients, and their utilisation may have an impact on patient management.

A 58-year-old man on azathioprine with a history of ulcerative colitis underwent urgent coronary artery bypass grafting following a myocardial infarction, via a median sternotomy and open harvesting of the long saphenous vein. On postoperative day 5, he developed severe and progressive sternal and leg wound ulceration and necrosis, unresponsive to intravenous antibiotics and requiring surgical debridement. He developed septic shock requiring intensive therapy unit admission. Microbiology was negative and histology supported a diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum. Unresponsive to azathioprine and steroid therapy, he underwent a successful skin graft to the leg wound and pectoral reconstruction of the sternal wound.

A 41-year-old woman was referred to tertiary cardiothoracic surgery centre following embolisation of the Amplatzer patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure device to septal leaflet of tricuspid valve with reopening of PFO. Two years earlier, she presented with thalamic stroke, and she was found to have a PFO following investigations. The following year she underwent transcatheter closure. Six months after the percutaneous closure, she presented again with significant periods of shortness of breath. Imaging studies revealed the migration and embolisation of PFO closure device to the septal leaflet of tricuspid valve with reopening of the foramen and significant tricuspid valve regurgitation. She underwent open heart surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass for retrieval of the device, closure of the foramen and repair of the tricuspid valve. The patient recovered well without any significant issues following surgery.