Managing COVID-19 in Heart and Lung Transplant Patients: Challenges and Solutions

The field of cardiothoracic transplants has faced unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly concerning the long-term effects of the virus on transplant recipients. The global escalation of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, known as Long COVID, which affects approximately 65 million people worldwide, underscores the necessity for detailed research into its chronic effects, especially among cardiothoracic transplant recipients. Evidence suggests that long COVID could evolve into a chronic illness for those with heart and lung transplants, with debilitating symptoms emerging in at least 10% of SARS-CoV-2 cases. The heightened risk of reinfection in this immunocompromised group highlights the urgent need for research focused on the specific impact of long COVID on these patients. Moreover, the socio-economic ramifications of long COVID, which affect workforce engagement and social support mechanisms, demand a dedicated research initiative aimed at understanding its pathophysiology, developing targeted therapeutics, optimizing surgical care, and formulating effective prevention strategies. This Research Topic is designed to propel these efforts by enabling comprehensive studies into the unique challenges faced by cardiothoracic transplant recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This Research Topic aims to investigate the multifaceted impact of COVID-19 on cardiothoracic transplant patients, with a focus on understanding the pathophysiology of long COVID, developing targeted therapeutic strategies, and optimizing surgical and postoperative care. Specific questions include: How does long COVID affect the health outcomes of heart and lung transplant recipients? What therapeutic strategies can be developed to manage COVID-19 in this population? How effective are COVID-19 vaccines in transplant candidates and recipients? By addressing these questions, the research aims to enhance the overall management and care of cardiothoracic transplant patients during and after the pandemic.

To gather further insights into the impact of COVID-19 on cardiothoracic transplant patients, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Pathophysiological studies on long COVID in transplant recipients;
• Development of specific therapeutic strategies for managing COVID-19 among this population;
• Evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine efficacy in transplant candidates and recipients;
• Approaches for managing long COVID symptoms in transplant recipients, with a focus on both healthcare and socio-economic measures;
• Investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical outcomes in heart and lung transplant surgeries;
• Postoperative outcomes in cardiothoracic surgery patients with COVID-19;
• COVID-19’s effects on organ donation and heart-lung transplantation processes;
• The evolving role of ex vivo organ perfusion during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• High-quality studies and investigations from non-transplant immunocompromised populations, provided their findings are clinically relevant and translatable to transplant care.

This collection invites submissions of clinical trials, original research, systematic reviews, and expert opinions. We aim to foster broader participation from the medical and research community, deepening our understanding and enhancing the treatment and surgical management strategies for transplant recipients impacted by COVID-19.

All manuscripts involving human organ transplantation must clearly state that organs were obtained through voluntary and non-coercive means, with documented informed consent, and in full compliance with the Declaration of Istanbul and relevant national and institutional ethical standards. Authors should be prepared to provide evidence of ethics approval and source documentation upon request.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: COVID-19, Heart, Lung, Ex Vivo Organ Perfusion, Cardiothoracic Transplantation

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.