Pulmonary Fibrosis After Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia

Evaluation of Pulmonary Fibrosis After Severe Interstitial Pneumonia Due to COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)

Patients discharged after hospitalization for COVID-19 pneumonia were retrospectively selected by radiologically established criteria that at admission presented at chest computed tomography (CT) (i) normal lung parenchyma <50% of total lung volume; and/or (ii) area of lung consolidation > 10%. All At discharge and after 9 months, all subjects underwent cardiological evaluation, echocardiogram, pulmonary function tests (PFT) both atby 3 and by 12 months after discharge. Chest CT was performed by 12 months after discharge and chest CT. Specifically, the magnitude of pulmonary involvement between baseline and follow-up was considered the primary endpoint of this study. Secondary endpoints of the study were results of respiratory function testing, echocardiographic parametersparameters, and persistence of symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18
• Hospitalization for severe COVID-19 pneumonia
• Computed tomography during index hospitalization that showed: (i) normale lung parenchyma < 50% of total lung volume and/or (ii) parenchymal consolidation > 10%
• Cardiological and pneumological visit, echocardiography and pulmonary function test at 3 and 12 months from hospital discharge
• Computed tomography by 12 months from hospital discharge

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age < 18
• Absence of previously cited test.