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Aims The aim of this study was to assess the clinical course and outcomes of all heart transplant recipients affected by COVID-19 who were followed at the leading heart transplant centers of Northern Italy. Method and Results Since February 2020, we enrolled all 47 cases (79% male) in a first cohort of patients, with a mean age of 61.8 ± 14.5 years, who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, out of 2676 heart transplant recipients alive before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic at 7 heart transplant centers in Northern Italy. To date, 38 patients required hospitalization while 9 remained self-home quarantined and 14 died. Compared to the general population, prevalence (18 vs 7 cases per 1000) and related case fatality rate (29.7 vs 15.4%) in heart transplant recipients were doubled. Univariable analysis showed older age (p=0.002), diabetes mellitus (p=0.040), extracardiac arteriopathy (p=0.040), previous PCI (p=0.040), CAV score (p=0.039), lower GFR (p=0.004), and higher NYHA classes (p=0.023) were all significantly associated with in-hospital mortality. During the follow-up two patients died and a third patient has prolonged viral-shedding alternating positive and negative swabs. Since 1 st July 2020, we had 6 new patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, 5 patients asymptomatic were self-quarantined, while 1 is still hospitalized for pneumonia. A standard therapy was maintained for all, except for the hospitalized patient. Conclusion The prevalence and mortality of SARS-CoV-2 should spur clinicians to immediately refer heart transplant recipients suspected as having SARS-CoV2 infection to centers specializing in the care of this vulnerable population.

The use of initially rejected grafts treated with EVLP does not increase the incidence and severity of PGD after LTx. Although comparison of PGD 3 incidence in the two groups did not reach a statistical difference, all EVLP patients suffering from severe PGD early after transplant recovered normal lung function at 72 h, suggesting a protective role of EVLP against PGD occurrence and severity.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19) in solid organ transplanted patients. We here report a series of heart transplanted patients with COVID-19 from two centers of Italy. METHODS: All heart transplanted patients of Transplant Centers of Bergamo and Torino with a microbiologically confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled. Data collection included clinical presentation, laboratory and radiological findings, treatment and outcome. Follow-up was performed by visit or phone. RESULTS: From February to March 2020 twenty-six heart transplanted patients (age 62 §12 years; 77% males; time from transplant 10 §10 years; 69% with comorbidities) had a microbiologically confirmed COVID-19. The most frequent symptom was fever, followed by cough. Seventeen patients had a pneumonia, 8 of them severe pneumonia. Seven patients died (27%) and 17 (65%) were hospitalized. Discontinuation of immunosuppression was associated with death (71 vs 21%, p=0.02). Conversely, all patients receiving steroids survived (p<0.001). Patients who received heart transplantation during COVID-19 outbreak survived and no acute graft rejection occurred. Patients who died were older than survivors, had a longer time from transplant and a worse clinical presentation at diagnosis. The current regimen enabled the prolonged survival and function of orthotopic cardiac xenografts in altogether 6 of 8 baboons, of which 4 were now added. These results exceed the threshold set by the Advisory Board of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 has a significant impact on long term heart transplanted patients. Conversely, SARS-CoV-2 infection seems to have a limited influence on more recent transplants. Our

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