Introduction
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has significantly impacted organ
transplantation. Several concerns became abruptly ascendant: donor
SARS-CoV-2 status, and the safety of traveling for organ procurement,
inpatient admission for high-risk patients, and immunosuppression. Heart
transplantation gained global interest, with SARS-COV-2 case-fatality
rates characterized at 20-27% in past heart
recipients.1,2 Investigation has been minimal in
patients transplanted after SARS-CoV-2’s emergence, though short-term
outcomes have been largely benign.3-5
New Jersey rapidly became a SARS-COV-2 epicenter. State of emergency was
declared on March 9, 2020. Elective surgery was suspended through May
26, 2020. During this period, two orthotopic heart transplantations were
performed at our academic medical center. These are reported to enrich
the discussion on providing definitive therapy to advanced stage heart
failure patients during pandemic conditions. This study does not meet
the regulatory definition of human subject research as determined by the
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Institutional Review Board;
therefore, the requirement for informed patient consent is waived.