ABSTRACT
Introduction: The long-term COVID-19 effects are currently unknown. Whether and for how long symptoms extend beyond the acute phase of the disease is unresolved Aim: To determine the functional capacity of COVID-19 survivors by cardio- pulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and describe its association with dyspnoea and pulmonary function test (PFT). Methods and Results: All COVID-19 patients discharged from our tertiary care institution were enrolled in a prospective follow-up study which would assess clinical, instrumental and laboratory characteristics of COVID-19 survivors at 3months from hospital discharge (Careggi University Hospital, Florence). Clinical evaluation included: peripheral blood samples including inflammatory cytokines, pulmonary function test (functional respiratory and 6 minwalking test), lung ultrasound, ECG recording and echocardiographic exam. All patients with peripheral oxygen desaturation at 6 min-walking test (SpO2 < 92%), dyspnoea and with a history of hospitalization in critical care settings were referred for CPET. Dyspnoea was classified with the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale. From June 2020 to May 2021, 198 patients were enrolled;overall, 42% of patients presented with dyspnoea at 3 months from hospital discharge with no difference according to disease severity on hospital admission (P 1/4 0.233) Conclusion(s): At 3-months, almost 1 in 2 patients discharged for COVID-19 pneumonia presented with dyspnoea, irrespective of disease severity. We want to compare CPET and spirometry data (already performed in 110 patients), highlighting differences between ventilated patients (invasive or noninvasive) and patients admitted to the ward. The data are still being analyzed.