Abstract
Introduction: Early studies on the short- and medium-term cardiopulmonary sequalae of COVID-19 have shown a certain degree of exercise capacity impairment among survivors (Naeije R, Caravita S. Eur Respir J 2021;58:2101763). Whether such condition is reversible at longer follow-up is unknown.
Aims: To assess the long-term cardiopulmonary exercise outcomes of COVID-19 in survivors who displayed a reduced exercise capacity shortly after recovery. We tested the hypothesis that physical reconditioning following hospital discharge would improve the aerobic performance and exercise capacity.
Methods: In this observational study 19 COVID-19 survivors who displayed a reduced exercise capacity 6 months after discharge (Rinaldo RF et al. Eur Respir J 2021;58:2100870) underwent reevaluation with CPET between April – May 2022. Lung function and CPET data were recorded.
Results: At 2 year follow-up, the proportion of patients with a normal exercise capacity (12/19) was statistically significantly different from baseline (0/19), p-value 0.000 (exact McNemar’s test). Among the parameters of oxygen delivery/utilization there was an overall statistically significant improvement of the anaerobic threshold (47% vs 54%).
Conclusions: On a small group of patients, our study supports the hypothesis that exercise capacity impairment after COVID-19 is reversible at longer follow-up, with signs of an improved aerobic performance.
Footnotes
Cite this article as Eur Respir J 2022; 60: Suppl. 66, 4633.
This article was presented at the 2022 ERS International Congress, in session “-”.
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 2022
