Substance Use-Associated Mortality among Heart Donors after the COVID-19 National Emergency Increased but Did Not Affect Peri-Transplant Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic and consequent social isolation prompted a surge in mental health disorders and substance use in the general population and, therefore, in potential organ donors. We aimed to evaluate if this led to a change in donor characteristics, including the mechanism and circumstance of death, and how this may have affected clinical outcomes following heart transplantation. METHODS: We identified all heart donors from the SRTR database between 18 October 2018 and 31 December 2021, excluding those who donated immediately after the US national emergency declaration. Donors were stratified into pre-COVID-19 (Pre-Cov; through 12 March 2020) and post-COVID-19 national emergency declaration cohorts (Post-Cov; 1 August 2020 through 31 December 2021) based on the heart procurement date. Relevant demographics, cause of death, and substance use history were collected in addition to graft cold ischemic time, the incidence of primary graft dysfunction (PGD), and recipient survival at 30 days post-transplant. RESULTS: A total of 10,314 heart donors were identified; 4941 were stratified into the Pre-Cov and 5373 into the Post-Cov cohorts. There was no difference in demographics, but illicit drug use was significantly higher in the Post-Cov group, leading to an increased incidence of death from drug intoxication. Fatal gunshot wounds were also more common. Despite these changes, the incidence of PGD remained similar (p = 0.371), and there was no difference in 30 days recipient survival (p = 0.545). CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm that COVID-19 had a major impact on mental health and psychosocial life with an associated increase in illicit substance use and fatal intoxication rates in heart transplant donors. These changes did not alter peri-operative mortality following heart transplantation. Future studies are needed to ensure that long-term outcomes remain unaffected.

COVID-19-Associated Myocarditis: An Evolving Concern in Cardiology and Beyond.

The direct and indirect adverse effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the cardiovascular system, including myocarditis, are of paramount importance. These not only affect the disease course but also determine clinical outcomes and recovery. In this review, the authors aimed at providing an update on the incidence of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)-associated myocarditis. Our knowledge and experience relevant to this area continues to evolve rapidly since the beginning of the pandemic. It is crucial for the scientific and medical community to stay abreast of current information. Contrasting early reports, recent data suggest that the overall incidence of SARS-CoV-2-associated myocarditis is relatively low, yet infected individuals are at a substantially increased risk. Therefore, understanding the pathophysiology and diagnostic evaluation, including the use of serum biomarkers and imaging modalities, remain important. This review aims to summarize the most recent data in these areas as they relate to COVID-19-associated myocarditis. Given its increasing relevance, a brief update is included on the proposed mechanisms of myocarditis in COVID-19 vaccine recipients.

COVID-19-Associated Myocarditis: An Evolving Concern in Cardiology and Beyond

The direct and indirect adverse effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the cardiovascular system, including myocarditis, are of paramount importance. These not only affect the disease course but also determine clinical outcomes and recovery. In this review, the authors aimed at providing an update on the incidence of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)-associated myocarditis. Our knowledge and experience relevant to this area continues to evolve rapidly since the beginning of the pandemic. It is crucial for the scientific and medical community to stay abreast of current information. Contrasting early reports, recent data suggest that the overall incidence of SARS-CoV-2-associated myocarditis is relatively low, yet infected individuals are at a substantially increased risk. Therefore, understanding the pathophysiology and diagnostic evaluation, including the use of serum biomarkers and imaging modalities, remain important. This review aims to summarize the most recent data in these areas as they relate to COVID-19-associated myocarditis. Given its increasing relevance, a brief update is included on the proposed mechanisms of myocarditis in COVID-19 vaccine recipients.

Heart Failure Care Delivery in the COVID-19 Era: The Patients' Perspective.

Purpose: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is changing healthcare delivery around the world with hospital systems experiencing a dramatic decline in patient volumes. Surveying our center's heart failure (HF) clinic population, we aimed to understand our patients' perception of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and care delivery preferences. Methods: Patients with chronic HF presenting either in-person or virtually were approached to complete a ten question, anonymous, voluntary survey. Acutely decompensated patients and heart transplant recipients were excluded. Results: 109 patients completed the survey. Average age was 62 ± 14 years, 67% were male, and 59% had HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Overall, patients were worried about contracting COVID-19 and believed they were prone to more severe infection given their underlying HF. However, they were not hesitant to initiate healthcare contact for symptoms and preferred in-person appointments over virtual visits. Although the difference did not reach statistical significance, female patients and those with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) were more concerned. Conclusions: Patients with HF are concerned about their increased risk of contracting COVID-19. However, they are actively seeking healthcare contact and prefer in-person over virtual visits.

Update on COVID-19 Myocarditis.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) gained worldwide attention at the end of 2019 when it was identified to cause severe respiratory distress syndrome. While it primarily affects the respiratory system, we now have evidence that it affects multiple organ systems in the human body. Cardiac manifestations may include myocarditis, life threatening arrhythmias, acute coronary syndrome, systolic heart failure, and cardiogenic shock. Myocarditis is increasingly recognized as a complication of Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) and may result from direct viral injury or from exaggerated host immune response. The diagnosis is established similar to other etiologies, and is based on detailed history, clinical exam, laboratory findings and non-invasive imaging studies. When available, cardiac MRI is the preferred imaging modality. Endomyocardial biopsy may be performed if the diagnosis remains uncertain. Current management is mainly supportive with the potential addition of interventions recommended for severe COVID-19 disease, such as remdesivir, steroids, and convalescent plasma. In the setting of cardiogenic shock and refractory, life-threatening arrhythmias that persist despite medical therapy, advanced mechanical circulatory support devices should be considered. Ultimately, early recognition and aggressive intervention are key factors in reducing morbidity and mortality. Our management strategy is expected to evolve further as we learn more about COVID-19 disease and the associated cardiac complications.

Heart Failure Hospitalization Trends During the Early Phase of the COVID 19 Pandemic

Purpose To quantify the change in heart failure (HF) hospitalizations observed in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic across a large, multi-center health care system. Methods MHealth Fairview encompasses four hospitals (one academic, three community-based) in the Minneapolis, Minnesota metro area. To compare HF hospitalization trends, two inpatient samples were created using HF discharges in the following time periods: pre COVID-19 (February 28, 2019-February 28, 2020) and post COVID-19 (April 1, 2020- May 15, 2020). March 2020 was excluded as this represented a transition point of the pandemic in the United States. Average number of discharges per day as well as demographics, diagnosis related group (DRG) codes, and inpatient mortality was then compared between the two inpatient HF samples. Results The pre COVID-19 group had 2,601 patients with an average of 7.1 (+/-3) discharges per day. The post COVID-19 group had 210 patients with an average of 4.7 (+/-1.7) discharges per day, which represented a 34% reduction in HF discharges (p <0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed between the pre and post COVID-19 inpatient samples with respect to age (76 vs. 75 years, p = 0.25), gender (46% vs. 48% male, p = 0.7), and DRG codes (DRG 291: 78% vs. 85% p = 0.15). Inpatient HF mortality pre and post COVID-19 was not significantly different (3% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.99). Conclusion