ABSTRACT
Aim/Introduction: COVID-19 and the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has been ongoing for 2 year and thromboembolic events have been described as a major complication at the time of the infection and as a mid-term event, even in patients on prophylactic anticoagulants.In this study we underline the importance of the pulmonary scintigraphy in the detection of early or mid terme thromboembolic events especially in subsegmental pulmonary arteries who could be missed by CT pulmonary angiography. Material(s) and Method(s): In our department we performed 12 pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy for patients presenting persisting respiratory symptoms (such as dyspnea, thoracic pain ) after covid-19 infection. Most of our patients were women (sex ratio 1,3) and the mean age was 55.4 yAfter intravenous injection of 148-222 MBq (4-6mCi) of 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin, SPECT imaging with low-dose CT was performed with the patient supine. Planar imaging was done in multiple projections (anterior and posterior;right anterior and posterior oblique;and left anterior and posterior oblique). The images were reconstructed in the transaxial, coronal, and sagittal views and were reviewed for perfusion defects. Modified PIOPED criteria were used to interpret the exams : The mismatched perfusion defects in this study were based on a mismatch between CT and scintigraphy images since we do not perform ventilation scans in our department. Result(s): On a median interval of 2 months after infection , Lung perfusion defects (of any type) were observed in 11 out of 12 subjects (92%). Patients with severe COVID-19 were not at higher risk of having mismatched perfusion defects than were patients with moderate COVID-19 and the interval between COVID-19-positive reports and scanning did not reduce the risk for mismatched perfusion defects.Mismatched perfusion defects were the commonest and were observed in 9 subjects (75%), suggestive of pulmonary embolism and leading to the instauration of curative anticoagulants. Conclusion(s): With these results, we aim to show that Lung perfusion scintigraphy can play an important role in the screening of such patients who may be at risk for developing pulmonary embolism as post-SARS-CoV-2 infection sequelae.
ABSTRACT
Vegetarian diets are known to have significant positive effects on personal and planetary health and are likely to curb zoonotic infection transmission. We propose that minimizing meat consumption should become an essential dietary shift in the post-COVID-19 era. To date, however, there is limited knowledge concerning suitable methods that could catalyze this change on a global scale. Meditation and Yoga are practical and easy to implement psychomodulatory strategies that can naturally trigger vegetarianism and related eating behaviors, lowering our reliance on animal meat. Decreasing dependence on animal meat reduces the need for animal markets and may substantially minimize the likelihood of spillover (passage of viruses from animal reservoirs into human populations). Global implementation of these strategies, in our opinion, can add to spiritual wisdom, compassion, and cooperative human behavior, thus reducing the encroachment of wild-life reserves and animal exploitation. The application of these ancient Indian approaches represents a novel and focused strategy toward curbing zoonotic pandemics. Keywords: Coronavirus disease-19, Meat-eating, Meditation, Pandemics, Viral spillover, Yoga.