Abstract
<b>Background:</b> Patients recovered from COVID-19 often present with reduced exercise capacity and persistent exertional breathlessness, yet the mechanisms are still poorly understood. <b>Methods:</b> We aimed to test patients formerly hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia with normal chest computed tomography (CT) at 6-month follow up but with persistent exertional breathlessness. Spirometry, chest CT, incremental cycle exercise test with arterial line, resting echocardiography and ventilation/perfusion (V̇/Q) scan were performed. <b>Results:</b> Data represents one patient and 4 healthy controls (CTRL) used for comparison. Patient (age: 41 vs. average 41.5 years in CTRL) was never smoker with FEV1 of 86 %predicted, normal chest CT and normal resting echocardiogram. Patient reported significant activity-related dyspnea (baseline dyspnea index score: 7). During exercise, peak work rate, ventilation, and oxygen update were within normal. Yet, patient had greater dyspnea intensity, ventilatory requirements and ventilatory equivalent for CO<sub>2</sub> during exercise, with 4% drop in O2 saturation, figure. Patient and CTRL had similar tidal volume (V<sub>T</sub>), rest-to-peak change in dead space/V<sub>T</sub>, and O<sub>2</sub> pulse. V̇/Q scan showed multiple perfusion defects. <b>Conclusion:</b> Preliminary data shows that reduced ventilatory efficiency during exercise, suggesting pulmonary vascular abnormalities, could possibly explain persistent breathlessness in patients recovered from COVID pneumonia.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
