ABSTRACT
Aim/Introduction: Knowledge about COVID-19's physiopathology is still scarce, mainly with respect to the recovery phase. Nonetheless, its association with an increased incidence of thromboembolic phenomena is well established. Ventilation/Perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (VP-SPECT) plays a major role in the evaluation of pulmonary embolism (PE) and microvascular disease, given its high sensibility and low radiation burden. We aim, with this study, to review the contribution of VP-SPECT in these patients' follow-up, with a particular focus on those with long-COVID-19. Material(s) and Method(s): We performed a retrospective study with COVID-19 patients that underwent VP-SPECT in our Department, until march-2022. Functional impairment of global pulmonary perfusion (FIGPP) was quantified by assigning points for each segment with a mismatch defect (a total of 36 points in 18 segments). PE was defined by the presence of segmental or subsegmental pleural-based mismatch defect(s) assessed at least 2 points. All relevant demographic/clinical data were collected. Result(s): Sixty patients (mean age 54.8+/-12.8 years, 51.3% female) with a history of COVID-19 underwent VP-SPECT on average 285.6+/-127.2 days after infection. There was a high prevalence of severe infections (58%, N=29) and admitted patients (64.9%, N=37), with a mean length of stay in the hospital of 22.5+/-17.2 days. Six patients (10.2%) had acute PE associated. The main reason for VPSPECT was post-infection fatigue/dyspnoea (71.7%;N=43). Only 6.9% of patients underwent VP-SPECT during acute disease (N=4). Median FIGPP was 6% (0-47). Patients who were hospitalized (p=0.066) or who had severe disease (p=0.161) showed no statistically significant differences in FIGPP. Management change after VP-SPECT occurred in 11.9% (N=7). Patients who did not start anticoagulant therapy (N=46) showed a median FIGPP of 6% (0-18). Conclusion(s): Our findings suggest that, although clinically relevant, persistent post-COVID-19 fatigue/dyspnoea symptoms do not appear to be justified by a FIGPP associated with significant thromboembolism and are unrelated to disease severity and need for hospitalisation. However, VP-SPECT played an important role both in excluding serious sequelae of thromboembolism and in identifying patients at higher risk of developing pulmonary hypertension.
ABSTRACT
Aim/Introduction: Knowledge about COVID-19's physiopathology is still scarce, mainly with respect to the recovery phase. Nonetheless, its association with an increased incidence of thromboembolic phenomena is well established. Ventilation/Perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (VP-SPECT) plays a major role in the evaluation of pulmonary embolism (PE) and microvascular disease, given its high sensibility and low radiation burden. We aim, with this study, to review the contribution of VP-SPECT in these patients' follow-up, with a particular focus on those with long-COVID-19. Material(s) and Method(s): We performed a retrospective study with COVID-19 patients that underwent VP-SPECT in our Department, until march-2022. Functional impairment of global pulmonary perfusion (FIGPP) was quantified by assigning points for each segment with a mismatch defect (a total of 36 points in 18 segments). PE was defined by the presence of segmental or subsegmental pleural-based mismatch defect(s) assessed at least 2 points. All relevant demographic/clinical data were collected. Result(s): Sixty patients (mean age 54.8+/-12.8 years, 51.3% female) with a history of COVID-19 underwent VP-SPECT on average 285.6+/-127.2 days after infection. There was a high prevalence of severe infections (58%, N=29) and admitted patients (64.9%, N=37), with a mean length of stay in the hospital of 22.5+/-17.2 days. Six patients (10.2%) had acute PE associated. The main reason for VPSPECT was post-infection fatigue/dyspnoea (71.7%;N=43). Only 6.9% of patients underwent VP-SPECT during acute disease (N=4). Median FIGPP was 6% (0-47). Patients who were hospitalized (p=0.066) or who had severe disease (p=0.161) showed no statistically significant differences in FIGPP. Management change after VP-SPECT occurred in 11.9% (N=7). Patients who did not start anticoagulant therapy (N=46) showed a median FIGPP of 6% (0-18). Conclusion(s): Our findings suggest that, although clinically relevant, persistent post-COVID-19 fatigue/dyspnoea symptoms do not appear to be justified by a FIGPP associated with significant thromboembolism and are unrelated to disease severity and need for hospitalisation. However, VP-SPECT played an important role both in excluding serious sequelae of thromboembolism and in identifying patients at higher risk of developing pulmonary hypertension.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 virus outbreak led to the need of developing smart disinfection systems, not only to protect the people that usually frequent public spaces but also to protect those who have to subject themselves to the contaminated areas. In this paper it is developed a human detector smart sensor for autonomous disinfection mobile robot that use Ultra Violet C type light for the disinfection task and stops the disinfection system when a human is detected around the robot in all directions. UVC light is dangerous for humans and thus the need for a human detection system that will protect them by disabling the disinfection process, as soon as a person is detected. This system uses a Raspberry Pi Camera with a Single Shot Detector (SSD) Mobilenet neural network to identify and detect persons. It also has a FLIR 3.5 Thermal camera that measures temperatures that are used to detect humans when within a certain range of temperatures. The normal human skin temperature is the reference value for the range definition. The results show that the fusion of both sensors data improves the system performance, compared to when the sensors are used individually. One of the tests performed proves that the system is able to distinguish a person in a picture from a real person by fusing the thermal camera and the visible light camera data. The detection results validate the proposed system. © 2021, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.