Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Patients with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome.

Background and aim: Several reports have shown the persistence of long term symptoms after the initial COVID-19 infection (post-COVID-19 syndrome). The objective of this study was to analyze the characteristics of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) performed in patients with a history of COVID-19, comparing subjects according to the presence of post-COVID-19 syndrome. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed. Consecutive patients >18 years with history of SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by polymerase chain reaction test and a CPET performed between 45 and 120 days after the viral episode were included. The association between variables related to CPET and post-COVID-19 syndrome was assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 200 patients (mean age 48.8 ± 14.3 years, 51% men) were included. Patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome showed significantly lower main peak VO2 (25.8 ± 8.1 mL/min/kg vs. 28.8 ± 9.6 mL/min/kg, p = 0.017) as compared to asymptomatic subjects. Moreover, patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome developed symptoms more frequently during CPET (52.7% vs. 13.7%, p < 0.001) and were less likely to reach the anaerobic threshold (50.9% vs. 72.7%, p = 0.002) when compared to asymptomatic subjects. These findings were not modified when adjusting for confounders. Conclusion: Our data suggest that post-COVID-19 syndrome was associated with less peak VO2, a lower probability of achieving the anaerobic threshold and a higher probability of presenting symptoms during the CPET. Future studies are needed to determine if these abnormalities during CPET would have prognostic value.

Antecedentes y objetivo: Varios informes han demostrado la persistencia de síntomas a largo plazo luego de la infección inicial por COVID-19 (síndrome post-COVID-19). El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las características de la prueba de esfuerzo cardiopulmonar (PECP) realizada en pacientes con antecedentes de infección por COVID-19, comparando sujetos según la presencia de síndrome post-COVID-19. Métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal. Se incluyeron pacientes consecutivos >18 años con antecedentes de infección por SARS-CoV-2 confirmada por la prueba de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa y una PECP realizada entre 45 y 120 días luego del episodio viral. Se evaluó la asociación entre variables relacionadas con la PECP y síndrome post-COVID-19 mediante análisis univariante y multivariado. Resultados: Se incluyeron 200 pacientes (edad media 48,8 ± 14,3 años, 51% hombres). Los pacientes con síndrome post-COVID-19 mostraron un VO2 pico significativamente menor (25,8 ± 8,1 mL/min/kg frente a 28,8 ± 9,6 mL/min/kg, p = 0,017) en comparación con los sujetos asintomáticos. Además, los pacientes con síndrome post-COVID-19 desarrollaron síntomas con mayor frecuencia durante la PECP (52,7% vs. 13,7%, p < 0,001) y tenían menos probabilidades de alcanzar el umbral anaeróbico (50,9% vs. 72,7%, p = 0,002) en comparación con sujetos asintomáticos. Estos hallazgos no se modificaron al ajustar por factores de confusión. Conclusión: Nuestros datos sugieren que el síndrome post-COVID-19 se asoció con un menor VO2 pico, una menor probabilidad de alcanzar el umbral anaeróbico y una mayor probabilidad de presentar síntomas durante la PECP. Se necesitan estudios futuros para determinar si estas anomalías durante la PECP tendrían valor pronóstico.

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Patients with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome

Background and aimSeveral reports have shown the persistence of long term symptoms after the initial COVID-19 infection (post-COVID-19 syndrome). The objective of this study was to analyze the characteristics of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) performed in patients with a history of COVID-19, comparing subjects according to the presence of post-COVID-19 syndrome.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed. Consecutive patients >18 years with history of SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by polymerase chain reaction test and a CPET performed between 45 and 120 days after the viral episode were included. The association between variables related to CPET and post-COVID-19 syndrome was assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis.ResultsA total of 200 patients (mean age 48.8±14.3 years, 51% men) were included. Patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome showed significantly lower main peak VO2 (25.8±8.1mL/min/kg vs. 28.8±9.6mL/min/kg, p=0.017) as compared to asymptomatic subjects. Moreover, patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome developed symptoms more frequently during CPET (52.7% vs. 13.7%, p<0.001) and were less likely to reach the anaerobic threshold (50.9% vs. 72.7%, p=0.002) when compared to asymptomatic subjects. These findings were not modified when adjusting for confounders.ConclusionOur data suggest that post-COVID-19 syndrome was associated with less peak VO2, a lower probability of achieving the anaerobic threshold and a higher probability of presenting symptoms during the CPET. Future studies are needed to determine if these abnormalities during CPET would have prognostic value. (AU)

Antecedentes y objetivoVarios informes han demostrado la persistencia de síntomas a largo plazo luego de la infección inicial por COVID-19 (síndrome post-COVID-19). El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las características de la prueba de esfuerzo cardiopulmonar (PECP) realizada en pacientes con antecedentes de infección por COVID-19, comparando sujetos según la presencia de síndrome post-COVID-19.Métodosse realizó un estudio transversal. Se incluyeron pacientes consecutivos >18 años con antecedentes de infección por SARS-CoV-2 confirmada por la prueba de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa y una PECP realizada entre 45 y 120 días luego del episodio viral. Se evaluó la asociación entre variables relacionadas con la PECP y síndrome post-COVID-19 mediante análisis univariante y multivariado.ResultadosSe incluyeron 200 pacientes (edad media 48,8±14,3 años, 51% hombres). Los pacientes con síndrome post-COVID-19 mostraron un VO2 pico significativamente menor (25,8±8,1mL/min/kg frente a 28,8±9,6mL/min/kg, p=0,017) en comparación con los sujetos asintomáticos. Además, los pacientes con síndrome post-COVID-19 desarrollaron síntomas con mayor frecuencia durante la PECP (52,7% vs. 13,7%, p<0,001) y tenían menos probabilidades de alcanzar el umbral anaeróbico (50,9% vs. 72,7%, p=0,002) en comparación con sujetos asintomáticos. Estos hallazgos no se modificaron al ajustar por factores de confusión.ConclusiónNuestros datos sugieren que el síndrome post-COVID-19 se asoció con un menor VO2 pico, una menor probabilidad de alcanzar el umbral anaeróbico y una mayor probabilidad de presentar síntomas durante la PECP. Se necesitan estudios futuros para determinar si estas anomalías durante la PECP tendrían valor pronóstico. (AU)

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Patients with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Several reports have shown the persistence of long term symptoms after the initial COVID-19 infection (post-COVID-19 syndrome). The objective of this study was to analyze the characteristics of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) performed in patients with a history of COVID-19, comparing subjects according to the presence of post-COVID-19 syndrome. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed. Consecutive patients >18 years with history of SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by polymerase chain reaction test and a CPET performed between 45 and 120 days after the viral episode were included. The association between variables related to CPET and post-COVID-19 syndrome was assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients (mean age 48.8±14.3 years, 51% men) were included. Patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome showed significantly lower main peak VO2 (25.8±8.1mL/min/kg vs. 28.8±9.6mL/min/kg, p=0.017) as compared to asymptomatic subjects. Moreover, patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome developed symptoms more frequently during CPET (52.7% vs. 13.7%, p<0.001) and were less likely to reach the anaerobic threshold (50.9% vs. 72.7%, p=0.002) when compared to asymptomatic subjects. These findings were not modified when adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that post-COVID-19 syndrome was associated with less peak VO2, a lower probability of achieving the anaerobic threshold and a higher probability of presenting symptoms during the CPET. Future studies are needed to determine if these abnormalities during CPET would have prognostic value.