ABSTRACT
The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is resulting in hospitalizations and increased mortality worldwide. Given the potentially high prevalence and severity of COVID-19 in heart transplant recipients, there is a great need for data in this high-risk cohort. Here, we report our experience with the outcomes and management of heart transplant recipients infected with SARS-CoV-2 at a German transplant center across recent pandemic waves. All adult patients who had received heart transplantation at our center and who were confirmed to have COVID-19 infection between 12/2020 and 07/2022 (n = 48) were included and retrospectively characterized. The mean age was 60.5 (46.3-63.8) years, and the majority were male (83%). The hospitalization rate was 83%, while comorbidities included diabetes (31%), arterial hypertension (73%) and chronic renal failure (90%). 90% of all SARS-CoV-2-positive HTx patients were infected since the start of our vaccination campaign (03/2021), while of those 43 patients, 88% were fully vaccinated at the time of infection (vaccine breakthrough). The median time from vaccination to infection in these patients was 138 (85-225) days. Antiviral therapy was administered in 83% of all cases, and passive immunization (convalescent plasma/monoclonal antibodies) was given in 98% of all cases. Oxygen administration was required in 10% of patients;only one patient required noninvasive ventilation (2%), and no patient required invasive ventilation or mechanical cardiovascular support (ECMO). No new cardiovascular or thromboembolic events were noted, and we observed no COVID-19-associated mortality. With increasing number of vaccinated patients and treatment options, we did not detect severe courses or increased mortality of COVID-19 in heart transplant recipients. Prospective studies are needed to provide better prognostic assessments of COVID-19 in (heart) transplanted patients in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Heart & Lung Transplantation is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
ABSTRACT
Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is leading to hospitalizations and increased mortality worldwide. With potentially high prevalence and severity of COVID-19 in cardiac transplantation, there is a great need to generate data in this at-risk cohort. We report here our experience on outcome and treatment of heart transplant recipients infected with SARS-CoV-2 at a German transplant center longitudinally over the previous pandemic waves. Method(s): All adult patients who had received a heart transplant at our center and had confirmed COVID-19 infection between December 2020 and July 2022 (n = 48) were included and retrospectively characterized. Result(s): The median age was 60.5 (46.3-63.8) years, and the majority were male (83%). The hospitalization rate was 83%. Comorbidities included diabetes (31%), arterial hypertension (73%), and chronic renal failure (90%). The percentage of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients since the beginning of our vaccination campaign (03/2021) was 90%, while from those 43 patients, 88% were fully vaccinated at the time of infection (vaccine breakthrough). The median time from vaccination to infection within those patients was 138 (85-225) days. Antiviral therapy was given in 83% of all cases, and passive immunization (convalescent plasma/monoclonal antibodies) was performed in 98% of all cases. Oxygen administration was required in 10% of patients;only one patient required noninvasive ventilation (2%), and no patient required invasive ventilation or mechanical cardiovascular support (ECMO). No new cardiovascular or thromboembolic events were found, and we observed no COVID-19-associated mortality. Conclusion(s): Under increasing numbers of vaccinated patients and treatment options, we could not detect severe courses or increased mortality of COVID-19 in heart transplanted patients. Prospective studies are needed to make better prognostic estimates of COVID-19 in (heart) transplanted patients in the future.
ABSTRACT
Immunosuppression after Heart transplantation (HTx) carries a life-long risk for infection and reactivation of herpesviridae. Especially changes in the immunosuppressive therapy regime can promote viral reactivation. Infections with SARS-CoV-2 can also alter the immune response. However, potential effects on herpesviridae reactivation still needs to be examined in this context. Since emerge of the COVID-19 pandemic in the early 2020, n=61 of our HTx or heart and kidney transplant (HKTx) patients had positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for SARS-CoV-2. Relevant patient data including results for potential concomitant herpes simplex virus (HSV-1, HSV-2), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr-virus (EBV), varicella zoster virus (CZV) and human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) DNAemia were retrospectively reviewed in September 2022 to evaluate its clinical impact. Most patients have received at least one and up to six doses of COVID-19 vaccine before contracting SARS-CoV-2. In general, HTx and HKTx patients developed symptomatic but mild COVID-19, which was most likely caused by any kind of omicron subvariant. SARS-CoV-2 positive HTx and HKTx patients were pharmacologically treated for COVID-19. DNAemia of herpesviridae was examined in about one third of the patients (n=20). HSV-1 DNAemia was confirmed in 6.25% of tested patients with a maximum viral load of 1,130,000 HSV-1-DNA copies/µg-DNA. In not a single patient HSV-2, VZV and HHV-8 DNA was found. In contrast, CMV was observed in 20% of tested patients with a maximum of 195 CMV-DNA copies/µg-DNA and EBV in 23.5% (maximum 1230 EBV-DNA copies/µg-DNA). In one patient simultaneous CMV- and EBV-DNAemia and in another patient EBV- and HSV-1-DNAemia were found. Nevertheless, none of these patients developed clinically relevant infection or reactivation of herpesviridae and therefore no targeted treatment was initiated. Recently, SARS-CoV-2 infections are commonly observed in patients after HTx and HKTx. Fortunately, patients rarely suffer from severe COVID-19-related symptoms. Meanwhile, concomitant infections or reactivation of herpesviridae, especially CMV and EBV, are regularly observed. Although we did not overserved CMV or EBV disease, regularly testing for herpesviridae seems reasonable in these patients. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Heart & Lung Transplantation is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
ABSTRACT
Background: Since March 2020, COVID-19 pandemic has tremendously challenged the global health care system. In patients with severe therapy-refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vv-ECMO) remains the ultimo ratio therapy;however, the outcome is still not satisfying. Prolonged mechanically ventilation of ARDS patients, especially with high driving pressure, may further damage the lung and contributes to impaired outcome. Method(s): Between 2020 and 2022, a total of 82 patients were treated with vv-ECMO for severe COVID-19-related ARDS in our department. The patients were prospectively enrolled into an institutional database and subsequent retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided Patients were divided in regard to the duration of pre-ECMO mechanically ventilation (Group 1 [<=2 days]: n = 40;Group 2 [>2 days]: n = 36). The remaining n = 6 patients were excluded due to awake ECMO implantation. Result(s): Except gender (Group 1: 22.5% female, Group 2: 58.3% female, p < 0.01), baseline characteristics such as demographic data and concomitant diseases were comparable between the two groups. The mean duration between the onset of the first COVID-19 related symptoms and ECMO implantation was 14 +/- 7 days and between intubation and ECMO implantation 0.8 +/- 0.8 days for Group 1 compared with 18 +/- 7 days (p = 0.04), respectively, 7.6 +/- 4.3 days (p < 0.001) for Group 2. We did not observed differences regarding the incidence of severe ECMO-related adverse events in regard to the pre-ECMO mechanical ventilation time. However, successful ECMO weaning rate was numerically increased in Group 1 (42.5%) compared with Group 2 (25.0%, p = 0.15) with shorter support time until weaning (Group 1: 16 +/- 13 days, Group 2: 44 +/- 44 days, p = 0.08). A similar trend was also found for in-hospital death (Group 1: 60.0%, Group 2: 77.8%, p = 0.08). Conclusion(s): Early ECMO implantation after orotracheal intubation for severe COVID-19-related ARDS did not affect the peri-interventional morbidity. However, we observed a numerically increased weaning rate as well as increased survival in patients with early ECMO implantation after intubation. As lung-protective ventilation can be achieved by early ECMO implantation in COVID-19 patients, it potentially decreases the ventilator-associated lung damage.
ABSTRACT
Background: Since late 2019, infections with novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 have caused a global pandemic. By now, limited adequate pharmacological therapy exists for severe COVID-19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Therefore, treatment with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vv-ECMO) still is considered as an ultimate rescue option. However, especially in obese patients, implantation of vv-EMCO cannulas is challenging and results in these patients are often considered as inferior to normal weight control patients. Method(s): Between 2020 and 2022, a total of 82 patients were treated with vv-ECMO for severe COVID-19-related ARDS in our department. All patients were prospectively enrolled into an institutional database and retrospectively reviewed for the purpose of this study. Patients were divided concerning their body mass index (BMI) (BMI <= 30.0 kg/m2 : control, n = 41;BMI > 30.0 kg/m2 : obesity, n = 41). Result(s): Mean BMI of the control group was 27.0 +/- 2.1 kg/m2 compared with 33.5 +/- 5.3 kg/m2 in obesity group (p < 0.01). Minimum BMI of the whole cohort was 23.0 kg/m2 and maximum BMI 50.0 kg/m2. There were no relevant differences regarding age, gender and the incidence of concomitant diseases, except for diabetes (control: 17.1%, obesity: 41.5%, p = 0.03) and renal insufficiency (control: 22.0%, obesity: 4.9%, p = 0.05) between the two study groups. Peri-interventional incidence of severe device-related adverse events such as bleeding (control: 17.1%, obesity: 25.0%, p = 0.42), ischemic stroke (control: 9.8%, obesity: 10.0%, p > 0.99), intracranial bleeding (control: 22.0%, obesity: 27.5%, p = 0.61), and visceral ischemia (control: 4.9%, obesity: 12.2%, p = 0.43) did not differ with regard to the BMI. Weaning from vv-ECMO was achieved in 39.0% of the obese patients and in 34.0% of the controls (p = 0.82). In-hospital death was observed for 75.6% of the control patients compared with 61.0% for the obesity group (p = 0.24). Conclusion(s): vv-ECMO as ultimate rescue therapy for serve COVID-19-related ARDS is also feasible in obese patients. Although implantation of the cannulas may be more difficult in obese patients, the results regarding weaning rate and survival are encouraging and not inferior to non-obese patients. However, an increased rate of kidney injury in the control group during vv-ECMO support may represent a relevant confounder, which should be investigated in larger study cohorts.
ABSTRACT
Background: With progression of the COVID-19 pandemic the veno-venous ECMO therapy as an ultima ratio is gaining a new value by the increasing number of patients with therapy refractive ARDS. This study aims to observe the prognoses and the long-term complications following ECMO to improve therapy options and patient satisfaction. Method(s): In the period between March 2020 and February 2022, a total of 98 patients were treated with vv-ECMO in case of a COVID-19-related ARDS in our center. Demographic and health-specific parameters of all patients were recorded in a database. In addition, the patients were followed up via a telephonic consultation 6 months after discharge from the hospital. Data were retrospectively analyzed. Result(s): Of all treated patients, 29 survived the hospital stay. After a period of 6 months following discharge, 28 (97%) of these patients were still alive. The results showed that almost all of them (n = 27) still did not completely recover by the time of follow-up. Eighteen (64%) of the patients were still suffering from persistent dyspnea and 13 (46%) were still under ongoing respiratory rehabilitation. However, none of the patients was still in stationary hospital treatment or under mechanical ventilation therapy, but 6 (21%) patients still required O2 therapy at their home and 12 (43%) still suffered from cognitive problems. Because of the mentioned long-term effects, among other things, at that point only 6 patients were possible to return to their working life. With regard to patients' gender, we found persistent dyspnea in 83% of female and only in 50% of male patients. Cognitive problems were obvious in 58% of the women and in 31% of men. Conclusion(s): The majority of patients surviving ECMO therapy based on a COVID-19 infection suffered from long-term limitations. In our follow-up, female patients showed a higher incidence of long-term consequences than male patients. Since we are still in an early stage of research about the virus, it remains important to determine short-term as well as long-term effects of therapy options to optimize the outcome.
ABSTRACT
Purpose Since the beginning of the current pandemic in late 2019, three accumulations of severe COVID-19 infections (so-called infective waves) caused a fulminant increase in hospitalization. In therapy-refractory patients, veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vv-ECMO) was used since the early beginning. However, potential developments in vv-EMCO therapy still need to be proven. Methods Between 2020 and 2021 a total of n=60 patients were treated with vv-ECMO for severe COVID-19 related acute respiratory distress syndrome in our department. The patients were prospectively enrolled into an institutional database, followed-up and subsequent retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided concerning the date of vv-ECMO onset into three groups (03/2020-09/2020: 1. wave, n=11;10/2020-02/2021: 2. wave, n=23;03/2021-08/2021: 3. wave, n=26). Results From the first to the third wave, patients seemed to be younger, more likely to be female as well as more likely obese. While patients of the first wave regularly developed acute kidney failure (81.3 %), these adverse event was seldom in the second (21.7) and third wave (15.4 5)(p=0.01). In contrast to that, other device-related complications such as stroke, bleeding or visceral ischemia did not differ between the three waves. Most apparent changes during the pandemic were prolonged ECMO support duration (1. wave: 8.5 ± 2.1, 2. wave: 54.0 ± 122.7, 3. wave: 28.0 ± 18.6), ECMO weaning rate (1. wave: 18.2 %, 2. wave: 39.1, 3. wave: 44.0 %) and in-hospital mortality (1. wave: 81.8 %, 2. wave: 69.6, 3. wave: 56.0 %), although none of these effects reached statistical significance. Conclusion Although our data cover only a small study population, we observed clear trends towards younger and heavier patients during the pandemic. Most likely, due to a learning effect, support duration of ECMO patients distinctly increased during the pandemic. Subsequently, weaning and survival also increased. However, differences in patient selection could act as a major confounder for these results.
ABSTRACT
Background:Since late 2019, three accumulations of severe COVID-19 infections (the so-called infective waves) led to a fulminant increase in hospitalized patients,Therapy with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vv-ECMO) was used since the early beginning of the pandemic in therapy-refractory cases,However, potential developments in vv-EMCO therapy still need to be proven,Method:Between 2020 and 2021 a total of 60 patients were treated with vv-ECMO for severe COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome in our department,The patients were prospectively enrolled into a database and subsequent retrospectively reviewed,Patients were divided concerning the date of vv-ECMO onset into three groups (03/2020-09/2020: 1,wave,n=11;10/2020-02/2021: 2,wave,n=23;03/2021-08/2021: 3,wave,n=26),Results:Table 1shows the detailed pre-A nd peri-interventional data of the three study groups,From the first to the third wave, patients seemed to be younger, more likely to be female as well as more likely obese,While patients of the first wave regularly developed acute kidney failure, these adverse event was seldom in the second and third wave (p=0.01),In contrast to that, other device-related complications such as stroke, bleeding or visceral ischemia did not differ between the three waves,Most apparent changes during the pandemic were prolonged ECMO support duration (1,wave: 8.5±2.1, 2,wave: 54.0±122.7, 3,wave: 28.0±18.6), ECMO weaning rate (1,wave: 18.2%, 2,wave: 39.1, 3,wave: 44.0%) and in-hospital mortality (1,wave: 81.8%, 2,wave: 69.6, 3,wave: 56.0%), although none of these effects reached statistical significance,Conclusion:Although our data cover only a small study population, we observed clear trends toward younger and heavier patients during the pandemic,Most likely, due to a learning effect, support duration of ECMO patients distinctly increased during the pandemic,Subsequently, weaning and survival also increased.
ABSTRACT
Alcohol and tobacco use is a major health problem and one of the first causes of the burden of disease and mortality. School-based alcohol and tobacco use prevention programmes that have demonstrated efficacy are most often based on psychosocial skill development, individuals' experiential learning strategies, and community resources. Furthermore, early and prolonged interventions have been recommended. Primavera is a pluri-annual, generic, multimodal, experiential-oriented prevention program. It runs over a three-year period from the last year of primary school to the second year of secondary school. This randomized controlled cluster study aimed at assessing the effects of the Primavera programme compared to a control prevention intervention among schoolchildren from 10 to 12 years in eight secondary schools in a particular French geographical area. The primary outcomes were lifetime tobacco use and past-month alcohol use. Data were collected at baseline and over three follow-up time points. In all, 287 and 266 questionnaires, respectively, were collected at baseline from the Primavera group and from the control group. Attrition was 45% and 41%, respectively. The SARS-COV2 pandemic crisis made it impossible for questionnaires to be collected during the final year. After adjustment, children from the Primavera group were less likely to report current alcohol use at the end of the first year (odds ratio = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.18-0.78) and past-month alcohol use at the end of the second year (odds ratio = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01-0.66) compared to those from the control group. The results for psychosocial skills and alcohol and tobacco use denormalization were contrasted. Primavera is shown to be effective in reducing alcohol use among schoolchildren.