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Published on: June 6, 2025
Coronavirus disease 2019 outcomes in heart transplant recipients: A large Australian cohort
Callum Cherrett1, Jacob Cao1, Cobi Adams1
1St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; University of New South Wales, Australia.
Insights
Heart transplant recipients experienced lower coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality and hospitalization rates after vaccination. This study highlights improved outcomes in this vulnerable population during the pandemic.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
Background:
- Heart transplant recipients face heightened risks for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to immunosuppression and comorbidities.
- Previous data indicated poor outcomes for this population during the early pandemic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes in heart transplant recipients.
- To assess the impact of vaccination on mortality and hospitalization rates in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- A single-center retrospective cohort study was performed.
- Data from 132 heart transplant recipients infected with COVID-19 between January 2020 and September 2022 were analyzed.
- Electronic medical records were used to collect demographics, vaccination status, treatments, and clinical outcomes.
Main Results:
- A total of 132 heart transplant recipients contracted COVID-19.
- The majority (94%) were vaccinated with at least two doses.
- Mortality rate was 6% (8/132) and hospitalization rate was 16% (21/132), which are lower than previously reported.
Conclusions:
- Vaccination significantly reduced severe outcomes from COVID-19 in heart transplant recipients.
- Heart transplant recipients demonstrate improved tolerance to COVID-19 infection in the later pandemic period, likely due to vaccination and evolving treatments.
Abstract:
Heart transplant recipients have been reported to be at a significantly elevated risk of poor outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection owing to their underlying comorbidities and immunosuppression. We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort of all heart transplant recipients who were known to have contracted COVID-19 between January 2020 and September 2022. Electronic medical records were used to collect baseline demographics, vaccination status, COVID-19 treatment received, hospitalization data, and mortality. Our primary end point was mortality, and our secondary endpoint was hospitalization. Between January 2020 and September 2022, 132 heart transplant recipients at our single-center contracted COVID-19 infection. Our population had high rates of vaccination, with 124 patients (94%) having received at least 2 vaccines. We found significantly lower rates of mortality and hospitalization than had been previously reported earlier in the pandemic, with a mortality rate of 8/132 (6%) and hospitalization rate of 21/132 (16%).
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