RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Changes in cardiopulmonary exercise capacity and limitations 3 to 12 months after COVID-19 JF European Respiratory Journal JO Eur Respir J FD European Respiratory Society SP 2200745 DO 10.1183/13993003.00745-2022 A1 Charlotte Björk Ingul A1 Anne Edvardsen A1 Turid Follestad A1 Divna Trebinjac A1 Odd Andre Wathne Ankerstjerne A1 Eivind Brønstad A1 Øystein Rasch-Halvorsen A1 Bernt Aarli A1 Håvard Dalen A1 Bjarne Martens Nes A1 Tøri Vigeland Lerum A1 Gunnar Einvik A1 Knut Stavem A1 Ingunn Skjørten YR 2022 UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2022/09/14/13993003.00745-2022.abstract AB Rationale To describe cardiopulmonary function during exercise 12 months after hospital discharge for COVID-19, assess the change from 3 to 12 months, and compare the results with matched controls without COVID-19.Methods In this prospective, longitudinal, multicentre cohort study, hospitalized COVID-19 patients were examined with a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) 3 and 12 months after discharge. At 3 months 180 performed a successful CPET, and 177 at 12 months (mean age 59.3 years, 85 females). The COVID-19 patients were compared with controls without COVID-19 matched for age, sex, body mass index, and comorbidity. Main outcome was peak oxygen uptake (V′O2peak).Results Exercise intolerance (V′O2peak <80% predicted) was observed in 23% at 12 months, related to circulatory (28%), ventilatory (17%), and other limitations including deconditioning, and dysfunctional breathing (55%). Estimated mean difference between 3 and 12 months showed significant increases in V′O2peak % predicted (5.0 percent points (pp), 95% CI (3.1 to 6.9), p<0.001), V′O2peak·kg−1% predicted (3.4 pp, (1.6 to 5.1), p<0.001), and oxygen pulse % predicted (4.6 pp, (2.5 to 6.8), p<0.001). V′O2peak was 2440 mL min−1 in COVID-19 patients compared to 2972 mL min−1 in matched controlsConclusions One year after hospital discharge for COVID-19, the majority, 77%, had normal exercise capacity. Only every fourth had exercise intolerance and in these circulatory limiting factors were more common than ventilatory. Deconditioning was common. V′O2peak and oxygen pulse improved significantly from 3 months.