Considerations for Heart Failure Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) infection pandemic has affected the care of patients with heart failure (HF) who have contracted COVID-19 as well as those without COVID-19 who have been impacted by the restructuring of health care delivery. Patients with HF and other cardiovascular comorbidities are at risk for severe disease and complications of infection. Similarly, COVID-19 has been demonstrated to cause myocarditis and may be implicated in new-onset cardiomyopathy. During this pandemic, special considerations are needed for patients with advanced HF, including those supported by durable left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) and heart transplant recipients. The purpose of this review is to summarize emerging data regarding the development of HF secondary to COVID-19 infection in patients with advanced HF and the implications of the pandemic for care of uninfected patients with HF. [Display omitted] •Patients with HF may be at increased risk for severe disease and complications from COVID-19.•COVID-19 infection can cause or worsen HF through a variety of mechanisms.•Delivery of HF care has been significantly restructured during the COVID-19 pandemic.•Future studies should address the impact of pandemic delays on outcomes in patients with HF.