RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Gas Exchange Impairment During COVID-19 Recovery
JF Respiratory Care
FD American Association for Respiratory Care
SP 1610
OP 1617
DO 10.4187/respcare.09114
VO 66
IS 10
A1 Laura Gochicoa-Rangel
A1 Aloisia Paloma Hernández-Morales
A1 Antonio Salles-Rojas
A1 Wilmer Madrid-Mejía
A1 Carlos Guzmán-Valderrábano
A1 Amaury González-Molina
A1 Isabel Salas-Escamilla
A1 Adela Durán-Cuellar
A1 Mónica Silva-Cerón
A1 Víctor Hernández-Morales
A1 Alejandro Reyes-García
A1 Irlanda Alvarado-Amador
A1 Luis Lozano-Martínez
A1 Paul Enright
A1 Lya Edith Pensado-Piedra
A1 Luis Torre-Bouscoulet
YR 2021
UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/66/10/1610.abstract
AB BACKGROUND: Persistent impairment of pulmonary function and exercise capacity has been known to last for months or even years in the survivors who recovered from other coronavirus pneumonia. Some reports showed that subjects with coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia after being discharged could have several sequelae, but there are few studies on gas exchange and exercise capacity complications in these subjects.AIMS: To describe residual gas exchange abnormalities during recovery from coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia.METHODS: In an observational study, ∼90 d after onset of disease, we scheduled almost 200 subjects for an out-patient visit with pulmonary function testing and computed tomography of the lungs. Lung mechanics by using body plethysmography, gas exchange with diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide determined by the single-breath technique (DLCOsb) and diffusing lung capacity for nitric oxide determined by the single-breath technique (DLNOsb), and exercise ability by using the 6-min walk test (6MWT) were measured in the subjects. The results were compared between those who required invasive mechanical ventilation and those who did not.RESULTS: A total of 171 subjects were included, the majority (96%) had signs of residual pneumonia (such as an excess of high attenuation areas) on computed tomography of the lungs. The DLCOSB results were below the lower limit of the normal range in 29.2% of the subjects; during the 6MWT, 67% experienced oxygen desaturation () > 4%; and, in 81 (47%), the dropped below 88%. Subjects who required invasive mechanical ventilation (49.7%) were more likely to have lower lung volumes, more gas exchange abnormality, less exercise capacity and more radiologic abnormality.CONCLUSIONS: Subjects who recovered from severe COVID-19 pneumonia continued to have abnormal lung function and abnormal radiologic findings.