ABSTRACT
Background: Post COVID-19 syndrome is characterized by chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, dry cough, headache, cognitive difficulties. The complexity of the clinical feature can be explained by a pre-existing endothelial dysfunction (particularly in the patient with high cardiovascular risk) exacerbated and/or linked to viral infection. In the cardiorespiratory rehabilitation program (RCR), the introduction of nutritional supports, vitamins and aminoacids, can be considered a useful approach to post-Covid syndrome. There are observations of positive results with the use of association of oral L-arginine + liposomal vitamin C (BioargininaVR C, 1.66g 2 bottles / day). Aim of the Study: to evaluate the effects of the use of combination of oral L-arginine + liposomal vitamin C (Bioarginina® C, 1.66g 2 bottles/day) on the functional capacity measured with the six minute walking test (6MWT) of subjects during RCR post COVID 19. Methods: 50 patients with high cardiovascular risk (38 M and 12 F), with mean age 58 ± 7 years, (Group A) undergoing integration with two bottles of L arginine and liposomal vitamin C were examined above for 90 days during the RCR cycle. These had been positive to molecular COVID-19 nasopharyngeal swab test for a period ranging from 15 to 30 days. As a control population, the results obtained with standard treatment in 30 patients with high cardiovascular risk (17 M and 13 F) (mean age 61 ± 8 years) (Group B) after RCR post COVID 19 infection, were examined. The ability to perform normal daily activities was analyzed with the six minute walk test (6MWT) which measures the distance that a subject can run on a flat surface, walking as fast as possible in six minutes, including any interruptions that patient deems necessary. The statistical analysis was performed with the Student's T test for paired data. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistical significant. Results: At 3 months, improvement in 6MWT values was observed in both groups in Group A: 289 ± 96 m vs 419 ± 105 m (p<0.0001) - Group B: 280 ± 88 m vs 332 ± 98 m (p<0.021). However in Group A, these was more significant. Conclusions: Our data confirm the improvement in the physical performance of post COVID 19 patients with introduction of nutritional supports with L-arginine and liposomal vitamin C.