Spontaneous Evolution of COVID-19 Lung Sequelae: Results from a Double-Step Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have reported a double-step follow-up of patients after hospitalization for COVID-19. OBJECTIVES: We designed an observational double-step follow-up study with a clinical, functional, and radiological evaluation at 2 and 6 months after COVID-19. The primary outcome was to describe symptoms, spirometry, and 6-minute walking test (6MWT) at 2 and 6 months. Secondary outcomes were to identify if the lowest PaO2/FiO2 during hospitalization is related with functional and radiological evolution and to assess the correlation between radiological and functional abnormalities at 6 months. METHODS: Symptoms, spirometry, and 6MWT were assessed at 2 and 6 months; arterial blood gas, chest x-ray, and lung ultrasound were performed at 2 months; body plethysmography, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and CT scan were performed at 6 months. RESULTS: Sixty-four per cent and 42% of patients reported at least one symptom at 2 and 6 months, respectively. The most common 6-month functional alteration was DLCO impairment (57% of patients). An improvement of FEV1, FVC, and 6MWT was observed between 2 and 6 months (p < 0.001). Patients with PaO2/FiO2 <200 during hospitalization performed worse at 6MWT at 2 and 6 months (p < 0.05) and reported more extended radiological abnormalities at 6 months (p < 0.001) compared with patients with PaO2/FiO2>200. At 6 months, more extended radiological abnormalities were related with worse 6MWT, DLCO, and total lung capacity (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: DLCO and 6MWT impairment seem to be the functional hallmark of COVID-19 and are related with the severity of acute pneumonia. At 6 months, radiological abnormalities were related to functional impairment.

Single-Breath Counting Test to Start Non-Invasive Respiratory Support in COVID-19 Patients: Early Detection and the Eternal Dilemma. Comment on Longhitano et al. Single-Breath Counting Test Predicts Non-Invasive Respiratory Support Requirements in Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia. J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11, 179.

We have read this study, in which the predictive role of a single-breath counting test (SBCT) to foresee the need of non-invasive respiratory strategies (NIRS) in patients with COVID-19 has been explored, with great interest [...].

Noninvasive ventilation and renal replacement therapy in do-not-intubate order critically ill patients: A brief report.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple organ failure has been considered a contraindication for noninvasive ventilation (NIV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We described the outcome of Do-not-Intubate (DNI) patients with acute respiratory failure, treated with NIV and, subsequently, necessitating renal replacement therapy (RRT). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Seven patients admitted to our Respiratory Intensive Care Unit, developed Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) during NIV treatment and received RRT for 12.8 ± 8 days together with NIV. All the patients but one, discontinued renal support because they regained a satisfactory urinary output; nevertheless mortality rate was high (71%). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that RRT could be feasible together with NIV. RRT was associated with an acute improvement in renal function but did not modify the mortality rate.