Hospitalizations During Pandemia in the Italian Coronary Care Unit Network (BLITZ-COVID19)

Epidemiology of the Hospitalizations in the Italian Coronary Care Unit Network at the Time of Covid19

Multicentre, national, observational, retrospective and prospective study.

The BLITZ-COVID19 study aims at describing the epidemiology of admissions to Italian Cardiology Intensive Care Units in the COVID-19 infection pandemia, the main aspects of the clinical management of inpatients, their short-term outcome, the absorption of resources related to their admission.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Management and Epidemiology of Patients Admitted in ICU
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Epidemiology of admissions

Detailed Description

The BLITZ-COVID19 study, aims at describing the epidemiology of admissions to Italian Cardiology Intensive Care Units .

The study is observational, multicentre, national and involves the collection of clinical data, both retrospectively and prospectively, using a web-based system. In conducting the study, no drugs are tested, nor are diagnostic tests or non-pharmacological therapies performed other than those that each participating cardiologist decides to perform following the rules of normal clinical practice. Diagnostic procedures and pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies habitually prescribed for cardiovascular pathologies, which are the object of hospitalization, and those used in the event of a COVID-19 infection, will be recorded in the database.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 6054

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Italy
  • Borgomanero, Italy
    • Ospedale Ss. Trinita' - S.C. Di Cardiologia
  • Castellammare di Stabia, Italy
    • Ospedale San Leonardo - U.O. Di Cardiologia-Utic
  • Frattamaggiore, Italy
    • Ospedale San Giovanni Di Dio - Uo Cardiologia - Utic
  • Giugliano in Campania, Italy
    • Ospedale Generale Di Zona - U.O. Cardiologia - Utic
  • Lacco Ameno, Italy
    • Ospedale Anna Rizzoli - Cardiologia-Utic
  • Napoli, Italy
    • Aorn Cardarelli - U.O. Cardiologia Con Utic
  • Napoli, Italy
    • Clinica Mediterranea - U.O. Di Cardiologia
  • Napoli, Italy
    • Ospedale Del Mare - U.O. Cardiologia Con Utic
  • Nola, Italy
    • Pres. Ospedaliero S. Maria Della Pieta' - U.O. Cardiologia E Utic
  • AL
    • Casale Monferrato, AL, Italy
      • Ospedale Santo Spirito - SC Cardiologia
  • AN
    • Ancona, AN, Italy
      • Istituto Scientifico Inrca - Uo Cardiologia/Utic/Telecardiologia
  • AO
    • Aosta, AO, Italy
      • Ospedale Generale Regionale-Po U. Parini - U.O. Cardiologia E Cure Intensive Card.
  • AV
    • Ariano Irpino, AV, Italy
      • Po Sant'Ottone Frangipane - U.O.C. Cardiologia - Utic
    • Avellino, AV, Italy
      • Aorn San Giuseppe Moscati - U.O. Cardiologia/Utic 'D. Rotiroti'
  • BA
    • Acquaviva delle Fonti, BA, Italy
      • Ospedale Miulli - U.O.C. CARDIOLOGIA - UTIC
    • Bari, BA, Italy
      • Aou Policlinico - Uoc Cardiologia Ospedaliera
    • Bari, BA, Italy
      • Ospedale Di Venere - U.O.C. Di Cardiologia
    • Bari, BA, Italy
      • Ospedale San Paolo - Cardiologia-Utic
  • BO
    • Bentivoglio, BO, Italy
      • Ospedale Di Bentivoglio - U.O. Di Cardiologia
    • Bologna, BO, Italy
      • Ospedale Maggiore - U.O. Di Cardiologia
  • BS
    • Brescia, BS, Italy
      • Asst Spedali Civili - Cardiologia
  • BZ
    • Bolzano, BZ, Italy
      • Ospedale Generale Regionale - Divisione Di Cardiologia
  • CA
    • Cagliari, CA, Italy
      • Arnas G. Brotzu - Cardiologia Con Utic
    • Monserrato, CA, Italy
      • A.O.U. Cagliari Policlinico Monserrato - Sc Cardiologia Utic Emodinamica
  • CB
    • Campobasso, CB, Italy
      • Ospedale A. Cardarelli - U.O. Cardiologia E Utic
  • CE
    • Aversa, CE, Italy
      • Presidio Ospedaliero Moscati - U.O.C. Cardiologia-Utic
    • Caserta, CE, Italy
      • Az. Ospedaliera S. Anna E S. Sebastiano - U.O. Cardiologia-Utic
    • Santa Maria Capua Vetere, CE, Italy
      • Ospedale San Giuseppe E Melorio - U.O.C. Cardiologia Utic
    • Sessa Aurunca, CE, Italy
      • Presidio Ospedaliero San Rocco - U.O.C. Cardiologia - Utic
  • CH
    • Vasto, CH, Italy
      • Ospedale San Pio Da Pietrelcina - Cardiologia
  • CN
    • Mondovì, CN, Italy
      • Ospedale Regina Montis Regalis - U.O. Cardiologia-Utic
    • Savigliano, CN, Italy
      • Ospedale Maggiore Ss. Annunziata - Sc Cardiologia
  • CO
    • Gravedona, CO, Italy
      • Ospedale Moriggia Pelascini - Unita' Operativa Di Cardiologia
    • San Fermo della Battaglia, CO, Italy
      • Ospedale S. Anna - U.O.C. Di Cardiologia
  • CT
    • Catania, CT, Italy
      • P.O. Garibaldi Centro - U.O.C. Cardiologia
    • Pedara, CT, Italy
      • Centro Cuore Morgagni - U.F. Utic Ed Emodinamica
  • FE
    • Ferrara, FE, Italy
      • Arcispedale Sant'Anna - U.O. Cardiologia - Utic
  • FG
    • Foggia, FG, Italy
      • Ospedali Riuniti - S.C. Di Cardiologia Univ.-Utic
    • San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
      • Ospedale Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza - Cardiologia - Utic - Riabil Cardiologica
  • FI
    • Bagno a Ripoli, FI, Italy
      • Ospedale Santa Maria Annunziata - Cardiologia
    • Empoli, FI, Italy
      • Ospedale San Giuseppe - Cardiologia
    • Florence, FI, Italy
      • Aou Careggi - Cardiologia Interventistica
    • Florence, FI, Italy
      • Ospedale San Giovanni Di Dio - Cardiologia
    • Florence, FI, Italy
      • Ospedale Santa Maria Nuova - Hdu Cardiologica/Utic
  • GE
    • Genova, GE, Italy
      • E.O. Ospedali Galliera - S. C. Cardiologia
  • IM
    • Sanremo, IM, Italy
      • Presidio Ospedaliero - U.O. Cardiologia
  • LE
    • Gallipoli, LE, Italy
      • Ospedale Civile Sacro Cuore Di Gesu' - Uo Cardiologia Utic
    • Scorrano, LE, Italy
      • Ospedale Ignazio Veris Delli Ponti - Uoc Cardiologia-Utic
    • Tricase, LE, Italy
      • Azienda Osp. Cardinale G. Panico - U.O. Cardiologia - Utic
  • LI
    • Livorno, LI, Italy
      • Ospedali Riuniti - U.O.C. Cardiologia E Utic
  • LU
    • Lido di Camaiore, LU, Italy
      • Nuovo Ospedale Versilia - Sc Cardiologia
  • MB
    • Monza, MB, Italy
      • Ospedale San Gerardo - U.O. Cardiologia-Utic
  • ME
    • Messina, ME, Italy
      • Aor Papardo - U.O. Cardiologia Con Utic
    • Messina, ME, Italy
      • Ospedale Piemonte - Cardiologia E Utic
  • MI
    • Milan, MI, Italy
      • Centro Cardiologico Monzino - Terapia Intensiva Cardiologica (Utic)
    • Sesto San Giovanni, MI, Italy
      • Irccs Policlinico Multimedica - Uo Di Cardiologia
  • MO
    • Modena, MO, Italy
      • Ospedale Civile Di Baggiovara - U.O. Di Cardiologia
  • NOVARA
    • Novara, NOVARA, Italy
      • Aou Maggiore Della Carita' - Cardiologia Ii
  • NU
    • Nuoro, NU, Italy
      • Ospedale San Francesco - Cardiologia - Utic
  • PA
    • Cefalù, PA, Italy
      • Fondazione G. Giglio - U.O. Cardiologia E Utic
    • Palermo, PA, Italy
      • Aor Villa Sofia-Cervello P.O. Cervello - U.O. Cardiologia - Cervello
    • Palermo, PA, Italy
      • Aor Villa Sofia-Cervello Po Villa Sofia - U.O.C. Cardiologia E Utic - Villa Sofia
  • PC
    • Piacenza, PC, Italy
      • Ospedale Civile 'Guglielmo Da Saliceto' - Uo Cardiologia
  • PE
    • Pescara, PE, Italy
      • Ospedale Civile Dello Spirito Santo - Utic E Cardiologia Interventistica
  • PG
    • Città di Castello, PG, Italy
      • Presidio Ospedaliero Citta' Di Castello - U.O. Di Cardiologia
    • Gubbio, PG, Italy
      • Ospedale Gubbio-Gualdo Tadino - U.O. Di Utic E Cardiologia
  • PI
    • Pontedera, PI, Italy
      • Ospedale Generale Provinciale Lotti - U.O. Malattie Cardiovascolari Vde E Avc
  • PN
    • Pordenone, PN, Italy
      • Ospedale Di Pordenone - S.O.C. Cardiologia
  • PO
    • Prato, PO, Italy
      • Ospedale Santo Stefano - U.O. Cardiologia
  • PT
    • Pescia, PT, Italy
      • Ospedale Ss. Cosma E Damiano - U. O. Cardiologia - Utic
  • PZ
    • Lagonegro, PZ, Italy
      • Ospedale Generale Di Zona - U.O. Cardiologia - Utic
    • Potenza, PZ, Italy
      • Azienda Ospedaliera San Carlo - Ssd Utic
  • RA
    • Faenza, RA, Italy
      • Ospedale Per Gli Infermi - U.O. Cardiologia - Utic
    • Ravenna, RA, Italy
      • Ospedale Civile Santa Maria Delle Croci - U.O. Di Cardiologia
  • RI
    • Rieti, RI, Italy
      • P.O. San Camillo de Lellis - U.O.C. Cardiologia
  • RM
    • Civitavecchia, RM, Italy
      • Ospedale Civile San Paolo - U.O. Cardiologia - Utic
    • Latina, RM, Italy
      • Ospedale S. Maria Goretti - Uoc Malattie Cardiovascolari
    • Roma, RM, Italy
      • Aurelia Hospital - U.O.C Cardiologia
    • Roma, RM, Italy
      • Clinica Citta' Di Roma - Cardiologia-Utic
    • Roma, RM, Italy
      • European Hospital - U.O. Cardiologia Interventistica
    • Roma, RM, Italy
      • Ospedale Fatebenefratelli - U.O.C. Cardiologia
    • Roma, RM, Italy
      • Ospedale San Camillo - Uoc Cardiologia
    • Roma, RM, Italy
      • Ospedale Sandro Pertini - UOC Cardiologia
    • Roma, RM, Italy
      • Ospedale Sant'Andrea Di Roma - U.O.C. Cardiologia
  • RO
    • Rovigo, RO, Italy
      • Ospedale Santa Maria Della Misericordia - U.O.C. Cardiologia
  • Roma
    • Roma, Roma, Italy, 00135
      • PO San Filippo neri - ASL Roma1
  • SA
    • Battipaglia, SA, Italy
      • Presidio Osped. S. Maria Della Speranza - U.O. Di Cardiologia
    • Nocera Inferiore, SA, Italy
      • P.O. Nocera-Pagani - Osp. Umberto I - Uoc Cardiologia - Utic
    • Polla, SA, Italy
      • Presidio Ospedaliero Luigi Curto - Uo Cardiologia-Utic
    • Salerno, SA, Italy
      • Aou S. Giovanni Di Dio-Ruggi D'Aragona - U.O.C. Utic
    • Vallo della Lucania, SA, Italy
      • Ospedale San Luca - U.O. Utic - Cardiologia
  • SI
    • Poggibonsi, SI, Italy
      • Ospedale Dell'Alta Val D'Elsa - Uosd Cardiologia-Utic
    • Siena, SI, Italy
      • Aou Senese Ospedale S. Maria Alle Scotte - U.O.C. Cardiologia Clinico-Chirurg. Utic
  • SO
    • Sondrio, SO, Italy
      • Ospedale Civile - U.O. Cardiologia
  • SP
    • La Spezia, SP, Italy
      • Ospedale S. Andrea - S.C. Cardiologia
  • SR
    • Augusta, SR, Italy
      • Ospedale E. Muscatello - U.O. Di Cardiologia - Utic
    • Avola, SR, Italy
      • Ospedale G. Di Maria - Cardiologia Utic
    • Lentini, SR, Italy
      • P.O. Lentini - U.O. Di Cardiologia Con Utic
  • SU
    • San Gavino Monreale, SU, Italy
      • Ospedale Nostra Signora Di Bonaria - U.O.C. Cardiologia E Utic
  • TN
    • Rovereto, TN, Italy
      • Ospedale Santa Maria Del Carmine - Cardiologia
    • Trento, TN, Italy
      • OSPEDALE SANTA CHIARA - Divisione di Cardiologia
  • TP
    • Erice, TP, Italy
      • Po S. Antonio Abate Di Trapani - U.O.C. Di Cardiologia E Utic
  • TV
    • Conegliano, TV, Italy
      • Ospedale Santa Maria Dei Battuti - U.O. Di Cardiologia
  • UD
    • Udine, UD, Italy
      • Pou Santa Maria Della Misericordia - S.O.C. Cardiologia
  • VA
    • Saronno, VA, Italy
      • Presidio Ospedaliero Di Saronno - U.O.C. Di Cardiologia
  • VE
    • Mirano, VE, Italy
      • Ospedale Civile - U.O. Cardiologia
  • VI
    • Arzignano, VI, Italy
      • Ospedale Civile - U.O.C. Cardiologia
    • Vicenza, VI, Italy
      • Ospedale Civile San Bortolo - U.O.C. Cardiologia
  • VR
    • Peschiera del Garda, VR, Italy
      • Casa Di Cura Dr. Pederzoli - Servizio Di Cardiologia

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

All patients aged ≥18 years admitted with any diagnoses to ICU in the specified periods of 30 days each.

Retrospecitve phase:(March 1-30, 2020 in the Northern or Centre-North regions; March 15-April 13, 2020 in the Southern or Ventre_South Regions and island.

Perspective phase (depending by the IRB approval) in the following periods:

November 9-December 8, 2020; November 23-December 22, 2020; January 11-February 9, 2021.

(Retrospective study) or in the

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

- All patients aged ≥18 years admitted with any diagnosis to one of the participating ICU

Exclusion Criteria:

- Refuse to signe consent

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Impact that COVID-19 infection may have had on the in-hospital mortality	Impact that COVID-19 infection may have had on the in-hospital mortality of the various clinical conditions admitted to ICU	Enrollment
Epidemiology and management of patients admitted to ICU	The different diagnoses of discharge from the ICU and their frequency will be described. All hospitalized cardiac and non-cardiac pathologies will be listed, with particular reference to any COVID-19 infection.	Enrollment
Management of patients admitted to ICU	Description of the main therapeutic decision in patients hospitalized for the most relevant pathologies	Enrollment

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Heart Care Foundation
• Investigators: Study Chair: Michele M Gulizia, MD, Heart Care Foundation

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Gulizia MM, Fabbri G, Lucci D, Di Pasquale G, Gabrielli D, Campodonico J, Mauro A, Inciardi R, Di Lorenzo E, Oliva F, Nardi F, Colivicchi F, De Luca L; BLITZ-COVID19 Investigators. Type of hospitalisations and in-hospital outcomes in the Italian coronary care unit network at the time of COVID-19 pandemic: the BLITZ-COVID19 Registry. BMJ Open. 2022 Nov 29;12(11):e062382. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-062382.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 9, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): February 9, 2021
• Study Completion (Actual): March 23, 2021

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 2, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 3, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): February 9, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): January 2, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 29, 2025
• Last Verified: December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: K22

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED
• IPD Plan Description: Still to be decided

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No