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COVID-19 complicating perioperative management of LVAD implantation: a case report and systematic review
  • +7
  • Deborah Belfort,
  • Bruno Biselli,
  • Monica Ávila,
  • Maria Tereza Lira,
  • Filomena Galas,
  • Samuel Steffen,
  • Fabio Gaiotto,
  • Fábio Jatene,
  • Edimar Bocchi,
  • Silvia Ferreira
Deborah Belfort
Universidade de São Paulo Instituto do Coração

Corresponding Author:debbelfort@gmail.com

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Bruno Biselli
Universidade de São Paulo Instituto do Coração
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Monica Ávila
Universidade de São Paulo Instituto do Coração
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Maria Tereza Lira
Universidade de São Paulo Instituto do Coração
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Filomena Galas
Universidade de São Paulo Instituto do Coração
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Samuel Steffen
Universidade de São Paulo Instituto do Coração
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Fabio Gaiotto
Universidade de São Paulo Instituto do Coração
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Fábio Jatene
Universidade de São Paulo Instituto do Coração
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Edimar Bocchi
Universidade de São Paulo Instituto do Coração
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Silvia Ferreira
Universidade de São Paulo Instituto do Coração
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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.
27 Mar 2021Submitted to Journal of Cardiac Surgery
30 Mar 2021Submission Checks Completed
30 Mar 2021Assigned to Editor
30 Mar 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
17 Apr 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 Apr 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Major
14 May 20211st Revision Received
15 May 2021Submission Checks Completed
15 May 2021Assigned to Editor
16 May 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
23 May 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
23 May 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
Sep 2021Published in Journal of Cardiac Surgery volume 36 issue 9 on pages 3405-3409. 10.1111/jocs.15690