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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
Murine Cervical Heart Transplantation Model Using a Modified Cuff Technique
Published on: October 12, 2014
Low mortality in SARS-CoV-2 infected heart transplant recipients at a single center
Jason M Duran1, Masihullah Barat1, Andrew Y Lin1
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California San Diego Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, La Jolla, California, USA.
Insights
Heart transplant recipients with COVID-19 faced higher risks, particularly Hispanic patients and those with higher BMI. Treatments like remdesivir and dexamethasone may improve outcomes for these vulnerable patients.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Transplant Medicine
- Virology
Background:
- Immunosuppressed heart transplant (HT) recipients are considered high-risk for severe outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).
- Limited evidence exists to guide the management of COVID-19 in HT patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in heart transplant recipients.
- To identify risk factors for severe COVID-19 and mortality in this population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of electronic health records from February 2020 to February 2021 at UC San Diego.
- Comparison of 28 SARS-CoV-2 positive HT recipients with 80 SARS-CoV-2 negative HT recipients.
- Analysis of patient demographics, COVID-19 therapies, hospital course, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Seven percent mortality (2 deaths) among 28 SARS-CoV-2 positive HT recipients; 15 were hospitalized, 5 developed severe illness.
- Remdesivir was used in nine patients; four received both dexamethasone and remdesivir.
- Hispanic patients and those with higher BMI showed increased risk for infection and mortality.
Conclusions:
- Immunosuppressed heart transplant recipients are at elevated risk for severe COVID-19 and mortality.
- Therapeutic interventions including remdesivir and dexamethasone may be associated with improved outcomes.
- Risk stratification, particularly for Hispanic patients and those with higher BMI, is crucial.
Abstract:
Immunosuppressed heart transplant (HT) recipients are thought to be at higher risk of infection and mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, evidence guiding management of HT patients are limited. Retrospective search of electronic health records from February 2020 to February 2021, identified 28 HT recipients out of 400 followed by UC San Diego who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Patient demographics, COVID-19 directed therapies, hospital course and outcomes were compared to control HT recipients who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 during the same period (n = 80). Among 28 HT recipients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, 15 were admitted to the hospital and 13 were monitored closely as outpatients. Among inpatients, five developed severe illness and two died (7% mortality). Nine patients were treated with remdesivir, and four received dexamethasone and remdesivir. Two outpatients received neutralizing monoclonal antibody therapy and one outpatient received dexamethasone for persistent dyspnea. Immunosuppressed HT recipients, especially Hispanic patients and patients with higher body mass index, were at greater risk of infection and mortality from COVID-19 than the general population. Use of remdesivir and dexamethasone may have improved outcomes in our HT recipients compared to HT recipients at other centers.
