loading page

Two-Case Series of Heart Transplant at a Single Center in a SARS-CoV-2 Epicenter
  • +5
  • Marlena Sabatino,
  • Cassandra Soto,
  • Krish Dewan,
  • Joshua Chao,
  • Hirohisa Ikegami,
  • Anthony Lemaire,
  • Mark Russo,
  • Leonard Lee
Marlena Sabatino
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Cassandra Soto
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Author Profile
Krish Dewan
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Author Profile
Joshua Chao
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Author Profile
Hirohisa Ikegami
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Author Profile
Anthony Lemaire
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School New Brunswick
Author Profile
Mark Russo
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Author Profile
Leonard Lee
Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Author Profile

Abstract

As SARS-CoV-2 continues to challenge hospital systems, the safety of heart transplantation must be evaluated. Retrospective review of all heart recipients transplanted at a single academic medical center in a U.S. SARS-CoV-2 epicenter found two patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. The 34-year-old male (ejection fraction <10%) was bridged to transplant with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and microaxial left ventricular assist device. His perioperative course was uncomplicated except for transient SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity two months post-transplant. He was asymptomatic and remained so eight months to follow. The 20-year-old female (ejection fraction 5%) was bridged to transplant with microaxial left ventricular assist device. She progresses well with SARS-CoV-2 seronegativity eight months post-transplant. Our early experience suggests that intentional recipient, donor, and provider testing, cautious organ procurement, strategic intrahospital patient organization and transport, and well-coordinated follow-up permits uninterrupted provision of this definitive therapy for heart failure without subjecting these patients to greater risk.