Evaluation of cardio-pulmonary functions of previously healthy adults with moderate-severe COVID-19 pneumonia after discharge

Abstract

Aim: Persistent dyspnea is one of the most frequent post-COVID symptoms. We aimed to evaluate the cardiopulmonary functions of COVID-19 survivors with moderate to severe COVID-19 pneumonia without comorbidity, during the first wave of pandemics. Material and Method: The study was conducted retrospectively in a single center. The electronic data of patients applied with dyspnea one month after hospital discharge, without any comorbidities, and who were evaluated with pulmonary function test (PFT) and echocardiography were included in the study. A total of adult 88 patients who suffered from COVID-19 pneumonia (46 moderate and 42 severe) were enrolled. Results of biochemical, hematological and radiological examinations, PFT parameters and echocardiography were recorded and compared between moderate and severe cases. Results: The mean age of 88 patients included in the study was 48±13 years. Sixty-seven (74.4%) of the patients were male. Pulmonary thromboembolism was not detected in both groups. PFT parameters performed were similar in the two groups and there was no statistically significant difference. Pulmonary function test of the patients with moderate COVID-19 pneumonia revealed mild restriction in 21.7% and moderate restriction in 2% of the patients. In the severe group, 38.1% of the patients had mild and 4.8% of the patients had a moderate restrictive pattern. Small airway obstruction was detected in 37% of the moderate group and in 38.1% of the severe group. Conventional echocardiographic parameters of the two groups were normal. Pulmonary arterial pressures were 22.6±8.3 vs 22.1±6.8; p=0.8 was found. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion were within normal limits. Conclusıon: The persistent dyspnea following COVID-19 pneumonia may be related to disturbances in PFT even in patients without comorbidities. We concluded that; the detailed evaluation of the patients with prolonged respiratory symptoms might help to detect the cardiopulmonary functional disturbances.