ABSTRACT
Donor specific antibodies (DSA) are known to be associated with increased mortality following heart transplant (HT). Despite the high overall burden of disease from novel coronavirus (COVID-19) among HT recipients, little is known about the subsequent development of de novo or increased DSA (diDSA) in COVID-19 survivors. We performed a retrospective analysis at 8 large centers of HT recipients diagnosed with COVID-19 between 3/1/2020 and 3/31/2021. Acting on anecdotal reports, we began checking DSA approximately 3, 6, and 12 months after acute COVID-19 as standard of care. Incidence of diDSA, defined as an increase in MFI by >2500, was determined. Treatment of acute cellular rejection (ACR) and antibody mediated rejection was recorded. Of 380 HT patients who developed COVID-19, 191 (70% male) had DSA data available by study end-date. A total of 5% developed diDSA by 3 months (11/191), 10% by 6 months (17/172) and 18% by 12 months (24/131). The median time for development of diDSA was 144 days. Patients with pre-existing DSA had a significantly increased incidence of diDSA compared to those without pre-existing DSA (15/32 vs 9/159, p<0.001). There was no difference in diDSA between patients who had immunosuppression reduced during acute COVID-19 and those who did not (6/47 vs 17/107, p=0.890). Compared to those without diDSA, there was a significant increase in the incidence of ACR (ISHLT grade ≥2R) in the year following infection in those with diDSA (3/165 vs 4/24, p=0.006). This study demonstrates a high incidence of diDSA (18%) at 12 months among HT recipients after COVID-19. In addition, diDSA was more common among those with pre-existing DSA, and diDSA was associated with higher incidence of ACR. [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
Purpose Characteristics and outcomes of heart transplant (HT) recipients who contract coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) have been poorly described. The current study was undertaken to better understand the risk obesity may pose in this patient population Methods A prospectively-maintained Trans-CoV-VAD Registry containing HT recipients at 11 participating institutions who presented with SARS-CoV-2 were reviewed. Presenting characteristics, hospitalization rates, ventilator & intensive care unit usage, and mortality were queried. Patients were grouped by body mass index (BMI) into obese (BMI≥30 k/m2) and non-obese cohorts (BMI<30 kg/m2). Comparisons between groups were made utilizing chi-squared, Fisher's exact, and Mann-Whitney U-tests. Multivariable logistic regression models were utilized Results Across all centers, 85 HT recipients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were identified, of whom 26 (31%) were obese. Median time from HT to diagnosis was 4.6 (1.8-13.8) years. No differences in age (57 vs 60 p 0.85) or female gender (31% vs 24% p 0.5) were noted between obese and non-obese patients. On presentation, obese patients were more symptomatic with higher rates of cough (76% vs 48% p 0.02), dyspnea (62% vs 41% p 0.09), diarrhea (60% vs 35% p 0.03), and headache (35% vs 14% p 0.03). No differences in rates of admission (62% vs 64% p 0.8), ICU presentation (44% vs 35% p 0.6) or need for mechanical ventilation were noted (38% vs 22% p 0.2). More secondary infections were noted amongst obese patients (32% vs 13% p 0.04). On follow-up, mortality was similar between groups (12% vs 9% p 0.7). On multivariable modeling, BMI was not associated with increased adjusted odds of hospital/ICU admission or mechanical ventilation (p>0.10) Conclusion Acute presentations of SARS-CoV-2 amongst HT recipients carry significantly higher mortality over the general population. Obesity appears to impact presenting symptoms and secondary infections, but does not strongly impact ICU requirements or mortality
ABSTRACT
Purpose Telehealth services increased during the COVID-19 pandemic but barriers to expansion of telemedicine use for LVAD patients are not well described. This study evaluated perceptions of telehealth and patterns of use at LVAD centers across the USA. Methods An online, de-identified, 19 question survey was distributed across the USA to 53 LVAD centers participating in the FLIGHT and IDEAL HF working groups. A maximum of one physician and one VAD coordinator completed the survey at each center. Results The 62 respondents included 34 heart failure cardiologists, 11 cardiothoracic surgeons, 7 LVAD advanced practitioners and 10 LVAD RNs who were geographically well distributed across the USA. The majority (73%) of respondents worked at centers managing >75 LVAD outpatients and 66% provided care for LVAD patients living in rural areas. Thirty-seven percent of respondents had completed >10 telehealth visits for LVAD patients, and 90% had used telephone visits and 94% video visits. Most respondents (87%) completed telehealth visits for routine care with only 17% using telemedicine visits for acute issues and 10% for post-discharge visits. Fifty-three percent and 26% of providers did not feel comfortable making antihypertensive or diuretic medication changes, respectively, during telehealth visits. Use of remote patient monitoring (RPM) devices for tracking blood pressure or activity levels was low (Figure: top panel). Seventeen percent of providers were unsatisfied with patient care during telehealth visits. The most common barriers to increased adoption of telehealth visits for LVAD patients included patient access to technology and reimbursement considerations (Figure: bottom panel). Conclusion Telehealth visits are being used for LVAD patients but provider comfort level with medication changes during visits is low. Improved patient access to technology for RPM and video visits and expanded reimbursement of telehealth services may help to increase telemedicine usage for LVAD patients.
ABSTRACT
Purpose Infection with the Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is particularly dangerous for patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). Obesity is associated with worse outcomes among both LVAD and SARS-CoV-2 patients. This study evaluated the risk of obesity among LVAD patients who contracted SARS-CoV-2. Methods A prospectively maintained Trans-CoV-VAD Registry of LVAD patients from 11 institutions who presented with SARS-CoV-2 was analyzed. Two cohorts, 1) non-obese and 2) obese, were formed utilizing a body mass index (BMI) cutoff of 30 k/m2. Presenting characteristics, hospitalization rates, ventilator & intensive care unit usage, and mortality were compared. Chi-squared, Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U-tests and multivariable logistic regression models were utilized. Results Across all centers, 46 LVAD patients contracted SARS-CoV-2 during the study period of whom 19 (41%) were obese. Time from LVAD implantation to infection was 2.4±2.5 years. Age and gender profiles were similar. Non-obese and obese patients had similar presenting symptoms, most commonly cough (52% vs 47%), fever (48% vs 37%), dyspnea (41% vs 47%) and fatigue (41% vs 37%). No difference in rates of hospital (70% vs 63%, p 0.8) and ICU admissions (26% vs 37%, p 0.3) was observed. Hospital (20.0±23.2 vs 17.1±14.2) and ICU length of stay were similar (16.2±26.1 vs. 13.9±13.1 days). Obese patients were more likely to require mechanical ventilation than non-obese patients (7% vs 26%, p<0.05). Overall risk of mortality was significantly elevated but similar (19% vs 16%, p 0.9). On multivariable modeling, BMI was not associated with increased risk of hospitalization, ICU admission or mechanical ventilation (p>0.10). Conclusion Among LVAD patients who contract SARS-CoV-2, obese patients appear to have higher risk of intubation, but did not experience increased ICU requirements or mortality.