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. 2024 Feb 1;70(2):154-158.
doi: 10.1097/MAT.0000000000002080. Epub 2023 Oct 20.

Clinical Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Pediatric Patients on Ventricular Assist Device Support: An ACTION Registry Analysis

Diana M Torpoco Rivera  1 , Anna Joong  2 , Nikita D'Souza  3 , Toni Duganiero  3 , Angela Lorts  3 , Joseph A Spinner  4 ; ACTION Learning Network Investigators
Collaborators, Affiliations

Clinical Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Pediatric Patients on Ventricular Assist Device Support: An ACTION Registry Analysis

Diana M Torpoco Rivera et al. ASAIO J. .

Abstract

Adult patients on left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support have increased morbidity and mortality after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. There are no reported clinical data describing outcomes among pediatric patients on ventricular assist device (VAD) support infected with SARS-CoV-2. We conducted a retrospective study using the Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION) registry to evaluate patient characteristics and clinical outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection. A total of 22 children on VAD support (median age at infection 10.6 years) from 16 centers tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Cardiomyopathy (59.1%) and congenital heart disease (40.9%) were the most common primary diagnoses. The type of support included LVAD in 19 (86.4%), biventricular assist device (BIVAD) in one (4.5%), and single ventricle VAD in two (9%) patients. At the time of infection, 50% were outpatients, 23% were inpatients on a general cardiology floor, and 27% were in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). Most patients (82%) were symptomatic at time of diagnosis, but only 13% required escalation of respiratory support, and 31% received SARS-CoV-2 therapies. Notably, no mortality occurred, and significant morbidity was rare after SARS-CoV-2 infection in pediatric patients on VAD support.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: ACTION receives funding from Berlin Heart Inc, Abbott Laboratories, and Medtronic. A. Lynch supported by a Heart Failure Research Fellowship from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Mitacs, and Myant. A.L. is a consultant and has received a research grant from Abbott Laboratories, Berlin Heart Inc, Syncardia, Medtronic, Abiomed and Bayer. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

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