Background: Minimally invasive heart valve surgery has previously been shown to be safe and feasible in obese patients. Within this population, we investigated the effect of obesity class on the patient outcomes of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement (mini-AVR). Methods: A single center retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with obese body mass indices (BMIs) who underwent mini-AVR between 2012 and 2018. Patients were stratified into 3 groups according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adult obesity classifications: Class I (BMI 30.0 to < 35.0), Class II (BMI 35.0 to < 40.0), and Class III (BMI ≥ 40.0). The primary outcomes were postoperative length of stay (LOS), 30-day mortality within, and cost. Results: Amongst 182 obese patients who underwent mini-AVR, LOS (Class I 4 [3-6] vs. Class II 4 [3-6] vs. Class III 5 [4-6] days; p=0.098) and costs (Class I $24,487 [$20,199-$27.480] vs. Class II $22,921 [$20,433-$27,740] vs. Class III $23,886 [$20,063-$33,800] USD; p=0.860) did not differ between obesity class cohorts. Postoperative 30-day mortality (Class I 2.83% [n=2] vs. Class II 0% [n=0] vs. Class III 0% [n=0]; p=0.763) was limited by an insufficient sample size relative to a low event rate but did not differ between patient cohorts. Conclusions: Mini-AVR is safe and feasible to perform for obese patients regardless of their obesity class. Patients with obesity should be afforded the option of minimally invasive aortic valve surgery regardless of their obesity class.

As SARS-CoV-2 continues to challenge hospital systems, the safety of heart transplantation must be evaluated. Retrospective review of all heart recipients transplanted at a single academic medical center in a U.S. SARS-CoV-2 epicenter found two patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. The 34-year-old male (ejection fraction <10%) was bridged to transplant with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and microaxial left ventricular assist device. His perioperative course was uncomplicated except for transient SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity two months post-transplant. He was asymptomatic and remained so eight months to follow. The 20-year-old female (ejection fraction 5%) was bridged to transplant with microaxial left ventricular assist device. She progresses well with SARS-CoV-2 seronegativity eight months post-transplant. Our early experience suggests that intentional recipient, donor, and provider testing, cautious organ procurement, strategic intrahospital patient organization and transport, and well-coordinated follow-up permits uninterrupted provision of this definitive therapy for heart failure without subjecting these patients to greater risk.