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Eur Respir J
. 2020 Dec 10;2003481.
doi: 10.1183/13993003.03481-2020. Online ahead of print.
Cardiopulmonary recovery after COVID-19 - an observational prospective multi-center trial
Thomas Sonnweber 1 2 , Sabina Sahanic 1 2 , Alex Pizzini 1 , Anna Luger 3 , Christoph Schwabl 3 , Bettina Sonnweber 4 , Katharina Kurz 1 , Sabine Koppelst?tter 1 , David Haschka 1 , Verena Petzer 5 , Anna Boehm 1 , Magdalena Aichner 1 , Piotr Tymoszuk 1 , Daniela Lener 6 , Markus Theurl 6 , Almut Lorsbach-K?hler 1 , Amra Tancevski 1 , Anna Schapfl 4 , Marc Schaber 4 , Richard Hilbe 1 , Manfred Nairz 1 , Bernhard Puchner 7 , Doris H?ttenberger 1 , Christoph Tschurtschenthaler 1 , Malte A?hoff 1 , Andreas Peer 8 , Frank Hartig 8 , Romuald Bellmann 8 , Michael Joannidis 8 , Can Gollmann-Tepek?yl? 9 , Johannes Holfeld 9 , Gudrun Feuchtner 3 , Alexander Egger 10 , Gregor Hoermann 10 11 12 , Andrea Schroll 1 , Gernot Fritsche 1 , Sophie Wildner 1 , Rosa Bellmann-Weiler 1 , Rudolf Kirchmair 6 7 , Raimund Helbok 13 , Helmut Prosch 14 , Dietmar Rieder 15 , Zlatko Trajanoski 15 , Florian Kronenberg 16 , Ewald W?ll 4 , G?nter Weiss 1 , Gerlig Widmann 3 , Judith L?ffler-Ragg 1 , Ivan Tancevski 1
Affiliations
- PMID: 33303539
- DOI: 10.1183/13993003.03481-2020
Abstract
Background: After the 2002/2003 SARS outbreak, 30% of survivors exhibited persisting structural pulmonary abnormalities. The long-term pulmonary sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are yet unknown, and comprehensive clinical follow-up data are lacking.
Methods: In this prospective, multicentre, observational study, we systematically evaluated the cardiopulmonary damage in subjects recovering from COVID-19 at 60 and 100 days after confirmed diagnosis. We conducted a detailed questionnaire, clinical examination, laboratory testing, lung function analysis, echocardiography, and thoracic low-dose computed tomography (CT).
Results: Data from 145 COVID-19 patients were evaluated, and 41% of all subjects exhibited persistent symptoms 100 days after COVID-19 onset, with dyspnea being most frequent (36%). Accordingly, patients still displayed an impaired lung function, with a reduced diffusing capacity in 21% of the cohort being the most prominent finding. Cardiac impairment, including a reduced left ventricular function or signs of pulmonary hypertension, was only present in a minority of subjects. CT scans unveiled persisting lung pathologies in 63% of patients, mainly consisting of bilateral ground-glass opacities and/or reticulation in the lower lung lobes, without radiological signs of pulmonary fibrosis. Sequential follow-up evaluations at 60 and 100 days after COVID-19 onset demonstrated a vast improvement of both, symptoms and CT abnormalities over time.
Conclusion: A relevant percentage of post-COVID-19 patients presented with persisting symptoms and lung function impairment along with pulmonary abnormalities more than 100 days after the diagnosis of COVID-19. However, our results indicate a significant improvement in symptoms and cardiopulmonary status over time.
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