COVID-19 vaccination is not associated with heart transplant-specific adverse events<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
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THURSDAY, April 28, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Among orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) recipients, COVID-19 vaccination is associated with fewer COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths and no heart transplant-specific adverse events, according to a study published online April 27 in JAMA Cardiology<\/em>.<\/p>\n Laura L. Peters, D.N.P., from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, and colleagues used data from all adult recipients of OHT at a single U.S. heart transplant program to assess the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in OHT recipients.<\/p>\n The researchers found that of the 436 OHT patients, 106 were infected with COVID-19. Among the 366 vaccinated patients, 19.7 percent had COVID-19 infections, 4.1 percent required hospitalizations (including four intensive care unit [ICU] admissions), and three patients died (0.8 percent). Among the 70 unvaccinated patients, 48.6 percent were infected, 14.3 percent were hospitalized, three required ICU admission, and three died (4.3 percent). There was a lower risk for all outcomes with COVID-19 vaccination (risk ratios: infection, 0.41; hospitalization, 0.29; death, 0.19). Six months after COVID-19 vaccination, there was no echocardiographic evidence of graft dysfunction, clinically significant rejection, or allosensitization among the vaccinated OHT recipients.<\/p>\n “Even though the immunogenic response to COVID-19 vaccination is lower in patients who receive a heart transplant, the vaccine appears to be safe and is associated with a lower risk of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death, suggesting it is imperative that all heart transplant recipients obtain the COVID-19 vaccine,” the authors write.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n