The impact of the pandemic for COVID-negative vascular patients: analysis from the Italian epicenter

To face the "first wave" of the pandemic (01/03/2020-15/05/2020), Lombardy's healthcare system was reorganized according to the "Hub-and-Spoke" model, and deferrable inpatient and outpatient activities were suspended. The limitations imposed by COVID-19, associated with patients' fear of presenting to medical attention, may have led to a delay in diagnosis and treatment of time-dependent pathologies. Our multicenter retrospective cohort study aims at analyzing the impact on COVID-negative patients of the shift of medical resources in Lombardy, the Italian epicenter of the pandemic.