Impact of COVID-19 on patients supported with a left ventricular assist device

Affiliations

Advocate Heart Institute, Advocate Christ Medical Center

Abstract

Patients on left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support may be susceptible to severe disease and complications from Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19). The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical course of COVID-19 in LVAD patients. A retrospective review was performed at our center; 28 LVAD patients who developed COVID-19 between March 2020 and March 2021, and six patients with a prior COVID-19 infection who underwent LVAD implantation, were identified and examined. Of the 28 patients, 9 (32%) died during the study period, 5 (18%) during their index hospitalization for COVID-19. Two patients (7%) presented with suspected pump thrombosis. In a non-adjusted binary regression logistic analysis, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) (unadjusted odds-ratio 7.6 [confidence interval 1.2-48], P=0.03), and the need for mechanical ventilation (unadjusted odds-ratio 14 [confidence interval 1.3-159], P=0.03) were associated with mortality. The six patients who previously had COVID-19 and subsequently received a LVAD were on intra-aortic balloon pump and inotropic support at time of surgery. All six experienced a complicated and prolonged post-operative course. Three patients (50%) suffered from ischemic stroke, and there was one (17%) 30-day mortality. We observed an increased risk of morbidity and mortality in LVAD patients with COVID-19.

Document Type

Article

PubMed ID

34475334

Teammate Access

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