Research Studies

Ten patients with PCR confirmed CoV-2 infection and evidence of cardiac involvement contributing to clinical compromise will be recruited from the UCH ICU and inpatient hospital units. Patients will have no other known etiology for cardiomyopathy other than COVID-19 infection. Patients may be supported with mechanical ventilation but will need to be in a stable respiratory condition with improving oxygen requirements prior to enrollment. In addition, investigators will have direct conversations with the treating ICU or Hospitalist team caring for the patient on the day prior to and day of the procedure to review the status of the patient and ensure no acute changes have occurred that may increase the risk of transportation out of the unit. Additional Inclusion criteria include: 1) age >18 years; 2) clear evidence of myocardial involvement including a Troponin I value of (≥0.05 ng/ml (the 99% upper bound)) AND a) an LVEF < 50% OR b) a global longitudinal strain of > -16.0, OR c) ST-T change suggesting STEMI, NSTEMI or myopericarditis in the presence of patent coronary arteries, OR d) new onset sustained VT or VF 3) Laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection as determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing or other commercial or public health assay 4) Patient and/or legally authorized representative must be competent to understand and agree with informed consent form. Exclusion Criteria: 1) Hemodynamic instability as evidenced by escalating doses of inotropic agents or vasopressors within the prior 24 hours 2) Respiratory instability as evidenced by increasing oxygen requirements over the 24 hours prior to consent or FiO2 requirement >; 60 %. 3) evidence that respiratory failure is the primary reason for myocardial dysfunction; 4) Moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension (mean PAP >35 mmHg); 5) INR >1.8 on no anticoagulation or contraindication to withdrawing anticoagulation; 6) platelets <100k/mm3.