Mechanical Circulatory Support in the Era of COVID-19

Abstract

In December 2019, a viral pneumonia with unique characteristics first appeared in the Wuhan province of China at alarmingly growing rates of infection and severity of illness. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing revealed the virus was of the coronavirus family however unique to other forms and subsequently named 2019-novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global pandemic in March 2020 after the virus began spreading across Europe and into the United States. Treatment with conventional therapies were found to be ineffective and high rates of global morbidity and mortality were noted. Vaccines were developed by the end of 2020 for preventative therapy. Since the first identification of this virus, mutations have developed creating multiple variants creating fluctuations in waves of disease and remissions. This chapter reviews the global experience with SARS-CoV2 and the relationship to ventricular assist device (VAD) care.