COVID-19 complicating perioperative management of LVAD implantation: a
case report and systematic review
Abstract
The coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) affected 125 million people
worldwide and caused 2.7 million deaths. Some comorbidities are
associated with worse prognosis and left ventricular assist device
(LVAD) recipients are probably part of this high-risk population. We
report a 31-year-old male patient who developed COVID-19 during LVAD
implantation. His postoperative period was complicated by severe
pneumonia and mechanical ventilation leading to right ventricular
failure (RVF) and inotrope necessity. He experienced multiple
complications, but eventually recovered. We present a systematic review
of LVAD recipients and COVID-19. Among 14 patients, the mean age was
62.7 years, 78.5% were male. Five patients (35.7%) required mechanical
ventilation and 3 patients (21.4%) died. Two patients (14.2%) had
thromboembolic events. This case and systematic review suggest LVAD
recipients are at particular risk of unfavorable outcomes and they may
be more susceptible to RVF in the setting of COVID-19, particularly
during perioperative period.