Outcomes of COVID-19 infection in heart transplant recipients

ABSTRACT

Background: Heart transplant recipients may be at increased risk for infection and adverse outcomes from infection with COVID-19. Management of these patients is complex, with limited data and no standard of care. Purpose:We sought to describe the incidence and outcomes of COVID-19 infection in patients with a history of heart transplant. Methods: Retrospective review of 235 heart transplant patients at a large academic medical center identified 31 patients with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 infection. Laboratory and clinical data were collected from our institution as well as other local hospitals patients had been treated at. Outcomes were followed from March 15, 2020 to March 15, 2021. All data was deidentified. Results: In a cohort of 235 heart transplant patients, 31 patients were identified after testing positive for COVID-19 infection. The mean and median age of patients was 51.9 and 56.0 years respectively. 71% of patients were male and 29% of patients were female. The mean and median time from transplant to diagnosis was 6.54 and 6.50 years. Average ejection fraction prior to infection was 60.4%. Seventeen patients (55%) had atherosclerosis, ten patients (32%) had diabetes, fifteen patients (48%) had hypertension, and twelve patients (39%) had a history of smoking. 84% of patients were on three types of immunosuppression and 16% were on two. Eight patients (26%) were asymptomatic, six patients (19%) had acute hypoxic respiratory failure, and two patients (7%) had GI symptoms. Two patients had evidence of graft injury with mean AlloSure (donor derived cell free DNA) levels of 0.61%. Immunosuppressive regimens were decreased in 32% of patients and COVID-19 directed therapies were given in 32% of patients. The most common treatments were remdesevir (5 patients), steroids (3 patients), and bamlanivimab (2 patients). Thirteen patients (42%) were hospitalized and two patients (7%) died. Conclusions: In a single center case series 31 patients were identified with COVID-19 infection. Nearly half of the patients required hospitalization, with one third of patients decreasing their immunosuppressive regimen and 7% mortality. Further investigation is needed to determine long term outcomes and optimal therapeutic regimen for COVID-19 in this unique population.