Abstract
It is not known whether the occurrence of pulmonary fibrosis is higher in patients with COVID-19-induced ARDS than in those with non-COVID-19-related ARDS.
An observational cohort study of patients with ARDS induced by COVID-19 or other causes. Thoracic radiology was evaluated from day 7 since ARDS diagnosis to death or ICU discharge. Persistent or new-onset pulmonary opacities, fibrotic-like changes and the pattern of organizing pneumonia were assessed in patients with COVID-19-induced ARDS in comparison to ARDS by other causes. Factors associated with fibrotic-like changes and clinical outcomes were evaluated in patients with COVID-19.
Twenty-five (47%) patients with COVID-19-induced ARDS and 9 (32%) with non-COVID-19-induced ARDS presented with persistent radiological opacities (p= 0.19). Two (12%) patients with non-COVID-19-induced ARDS and 24 (71%) with COVID-19-induced ARDS presented with fibrotic-like changes (p = 0.001). All patients with COVID-19 and fibrotic-like changes presented with a pattern of organizing pneumonia. Fibrotic-like changes and extensive manifestations of such changes were associated with several parameters related to ventilator-induced lung injury. Twelve (36%) patients presented with extensive fibrotic-like changes; an association between this series of changes and longer duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay was observed.
Fibrotic-like changes and the concomitant pattern of organizing pneumonia are common in COVID-19-induced ARDS. They are associated with longer ICU length of stay and ventilator dependency.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2021; 58: Suppl. 65, PA912.
This abstract was presented at the 2021 ERS International Congress, in session “Prediction of exacerbations in patients with COPD”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2021