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Haunhorst S, Dudziak D, Scheibenbogen C, Seifert M, Sotzny F, Finke C, Behrends U, Aden K, Schreiber S, Brockmann D, Burggraf P, Bloch W, Ellert C, Ramoji A, Popp J, Reuken P, Walter M, Stallmach A, Puta C. Towards an understanding of physical activity-induced post-exertional malaise: Insights into microvascular alterations and immunometabolic interactions in post-COVID condition and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Infection 2024:10.1007/s15010-024-02386-8. [PMID: 39240417 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-024-02386-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A considerable number of patients who contracted SARS-CoV-2 are affected by persistent multi-systemic symptoms, referred to as Post-COVID Condition (PCC). Post-exertional malaise (PEM) has been recognized as one of the most frequent manifestations of PCC and is a diagnostic criterion of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Yet, its underlying pathomechanisms remain poorly elucidated. PURPOSE AND METHODS In this review, we describe current evidence indicating that key pathophysiological features of PCC and ME/CFS are involved in physical activity-induced PEM. RESULTS Upon physical activity, affected patients exhibit a reduced systemic oxygen extraction and oxidative phosphorylation capacity. Accumulating evidence suggests that these are mediated by dysfunctions in mitochondrial capacities and microcirculation that are maintained by latent immune activation, conjointly impairing peripheral bioenergetics. Aggravating deficits in tissue perfusion and oxygen utilization during activities cause exertional intolerance that are frequently accompanied by tachycardia, dyspnea, early cessation of activity and elicit downstream metabolic effects. The accumulation of molecules such as lactate, reactive oxygen species or prostaglandins might trigger local and systemic immune activation. Subsequent intensification of bioenergetic inflexibilities, muscular ionic disturbances and modulation of central nervous system functions can lead to an exacerbation of existing pathologies and symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Haunhorst
- Department of Sports Medicine and Health Promotion, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Wöllnitzer Straße 42, 07749, Jena, Germany
- Center for Interdisciplinary Prevention of Diseases Related to Professional Activities, Jena, Germany
| | - Diana Dudziak
- Institute of Immunology, Jena University Hospital/ Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Carmen Scheibenbogen
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Martina Seifert
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Franziska Sotzny
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Carsten Finke
- Department of Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Uta Behrends
- Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Berlin, Germany
- AGV Research Unit Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Munich (HMGU), Munich, Germany
| | - Konrad Aden
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Kiel University and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Kiel University and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Stefan Schreiber
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Kiel University and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Dirk Brockmann
- Center Synergy of Systems, TU Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
| | - Paul Burggraf
- mHealth Pioneers GmbH, Körtestraße 10, 10967, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wilhelm Bloch
- Department for Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Claudia Ellert
- , Landarztnetz Lahn-Dill, Wetzlar, Germany
- Initiative Long COVID Deutschland, Lemgo, Germany
| | - Anuradha Ramoji
- Institute of Physical Chemistry (IPC) and Abbe Center of Photonics (ACP), Member of the Leibniz Centre for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI), Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Member of Leibniz Health Technologies, Member of the Leibniz Centre for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI), Jena, Germany
| | - Juergen Popp
- Institute of Physical Chemistry (IPC) and Abbe Center of Photonics (ACP), Member of the Leibniz Centre for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI), Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology, Member of Leibniz Health Technologies, Member of the Leibniz Centre for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI), Jena, Germany
| | - Philipp Reuken
- Department for Internal Medicine IV (Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena Center for Mental Health, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Partner Site Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Andreas Stallmach
- Department for Internal Medicine IV (Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Puta
- Department of Sports Medicine and Health Promotion, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Wöllnitzer Straße 42, 07749, Jena, Germany.
- Department for Internal Medicine IV (Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases), Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital/Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany.
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Gomes-Neto M, Almeida KDO, Correia HF, Santos JC, Gomes VA, Serra JPC, Durães AR, Carvalho VO. Determinants of cardiorespiratory fitness measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing in COVID-19 survivors: a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta‑regression. Braz J Phys Ther 2024; 28:101089. [PMID: 38936313 PMCID: PMC11259933 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2024.101089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and its possible determinants in post-COVID-19 survivors has not been systematically assessed. OBJECTIVES To identify and summarize studies comparing cardiorespiratory fitness measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing in COVID-19 survivors versus non-COVID-19 controls, as well as to determine the influence of potential moderating factors. METHODS We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and SciELO since their inceptions until June 2022. Mean differences (MD), standard mean differences (SMD), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were used to evaluate potential moderating factors. RESULTS 48 studies (3372 participants, mean age 42 years, and with a mean testing time of 4 months post-COVID-19) were included, comprising a total of 1823 COVID-19 survivors and 1549 non-COVID-19 controls. After data pooling, VO2 peak (SMD=1.0 95% CI: 0.5, 1.5; 17 studies; N = 1273) was impaired in COVID-19 survivors. In 15 studies that reported VO2 peak values in mL/min/kg, non-COVID-19 controls had higher peak VO2 values than COVID-19 survivors (MD=6.2, 95% CI: 3.5, 8.8; N = 905; I2=84%). In addition, VO2 peak was associated with age, time post-COVID-19, disease severity, presence of dyspnea, and reduced exercise capacity. CONCLUSION This systematic review provides evidence that cardiorespiratory fitness may be impaired in COVID-19 survivors, especially for those with severe disease, presence of dyspnea, and reduced exercise capacity. Furthermore, the degree of reduction of VO2 peak is inversely associated with age and time post-COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansueto Gomes-Neto
- Physical Therapy Department, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, BA, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Medicine and Health, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, BA, Brazil.
| | - Katna de Oliveira Almeida
- Postgraduate Program in Medicine and Health, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Helena França Correia
- Physical Therapy Department, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Juliana Costa Santos
- Physical Therapy Department, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Afonso Gomes
- Postgraduate Program in Medicine and Health, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, BA, Brazil; Hospital Especializado Otávio Mangabeira, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | | | - André Rodrigues Durães
- Postgraduate Program in Medicine and Health, Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA), Salvador, BA, Brazil
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Bielecka E, Sielatycki P, Pietraszko P, Zapora-Kurel A, Zbroch E. Elevated Arterial Blood Pressure as a Delayed Complication Following COVID-19-A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1837. [PMID: 38339115 PMCID: PMC10856065 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Arterial hypertension is one of the most common and significant cardiovascular risk factors. There are many well-known and identified risk factors for its development. In recent times, there has been growing concern about the potential impact of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system and its relation to arterial hypertension. Various theories have been developed that suggest a connection between COVID-19 and elevated blood pressure. However, the precise link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the long-term risk of developing hypertension remains insufficiently explored. Therefore, the primary objective of our study was to investigate the influence of COVID-19 infection on blood pressure elevation and the subsequent risk of developing arterial hypertension over an extended period. To accomplish this, we conducted a thorough search review of relevant papers in the PubMed and SCOPUS databases up to 3 September 2023. Our analysis encompassed a total of 30 eligible articles. Out of the 30 papers we reviewed, 19 of them provided substantial evidence showing a heightened risk of developing arterial hypertension following COVID-19 infection. Eight of the studies showed that blood pressure values increased after the infection, while three of the qualified studies did not report any notable impact of COVID-19 on blood pressure levels. The precise mechanism behind the development of hypertension after COVID-19 remains unclear, but it is suggested that endothelial injury and dysfunction of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system may be contributory. Additionally, changes in blood pressure following COVID-19 infection could be linked to lifestyle alterations that often occur alongside the illness. Our findings emphasize the pressing requirement for thorough research into the relationship between COVID-19 and hypertension. These insights are essential for the development of effective prevention and management approaches for individuals who have experienced COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Edyta Zbroch
- Department of Internal Medicine and Hypertension, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-540 Bialystok, Poland; (E.B.); (P.S.); (P.P.); (A.Z.-K.)
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Astley C, Prado DMLD, Sieczkowska SM, Esteves GP, Suguita P, Fink T, Lindoso L, Matsuo O, Martins F, Bain V, Badue Pereira MF, Marques HH, Malluf A, Leal GN, Silva CA, Roschel H, Gualano B. Impaired cardiorespiratory fitness and endothelial function after SARS-CoV-2 infection in a sample of mainly immunocompromised youth. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2023; 135:1323-1329. [PMID: 37916270 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00213.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to compare cardiopulmonary fitness and endothelial function 6 months after hospital diagnosis in a sample mainly comprising immunocompromised patients with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection versus noninfected controls. Youth (n = 30; age: 14 yr; 60% females) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 seen in a tertiary hospital of Sao Paulo, Brazil, were matched by propensity score based on BMI, age, sex, and pre-existing diseases with a control group who had not been tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 30; age: 15 yr; 50% females). Cardiopulmonary fitness (by means of a cardiopulmonary exercise test: CPET) and brachial flow-mediated dilation (%b-FMD) were assessed 3-6 mo after diagnosis. Patients were matched by propensity score based on BMI, age, sex and pre-existing diseases, if any, with a control group who had not been tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Compared with controls, patients with COVID-19 showed reduced ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) and peak exercise time and minute ventilation/maximum voluntary ventilation (V̇e/MVV) (all P < 0.01). Brachial endothelial function variables were all adjusted for body surface area (BSA). Patients with COVID-19 had decreased %b-FMD (3.6 vs. 5.4; P = 0.03) mean and positive flow (P = 0.02 and P = 0.03, respectively) versus controls. Adjusted linear regression models exploring associations between CPET variables, %b-FMD and the potential predictors post-COVID-19 syndrome, number of symptoms, hospitalization, and COVID severity did not detect significant associations, except for total shear rate in hospitalization (coefficient: -65.07 [95%CI -119.5;-10.5], P = 0.02). Immunocompromised and previously healthy children and adolescents with COVID-19 presented with impaired exercise capacity and endothelial dysfunction when compared with their noninfected counterparts, but the mechanisms remain unknown.NEW & NOTEWORTHY COVID-19 appeared to impair recovery of exercise capacity and endothelial function in a sample mainly comprising immunocompromised patients, but the mechanisms are unknown. These findings support the need for preventive measures against COVID-19 in this vulnerable population and suggest the necessity of proper monitoring and treatment for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Astley
- Center of Lifestyle Medicine, Applied Physiology & Nutrition Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Rheumatology Division, Clinical Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Danilo Marcelo Leite do Prado
- Center of Lifestyle Medicine, Applied Physiology & Nutrition Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sofia Mendes Sieczkowska
- Center of Lifestyle Medicine, Applied Physiology & Nutrition Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriel P Esteves
- Center of Lifestyle Medicine, Applied Physiology & Nutrition Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Priscila Suguita
- Children and Adolescent Institute, Clinical Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thais Fink
- Children and Adolescent Institute, Clinical Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Livia Lindoso
- Children and Adolescent Institute, Clinical Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Olivia Matsuo
- Children and Adolescent Institute, Clinical Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Martins
- Children and Adolescent Institute, Clinical Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vera Bain
- Children and Adolescent Institute, Clinical Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Fernanda Badue Pereira
- Children and Adolescent Institute, Clinical Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Heloisa Helena Marques
- Children and Adolescent Institute, Clinical Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adriana Malluf
- Children and Adolescent Institute, Clinical Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Nunes Leal
- Children and Adolescent Institute, Clinical Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Clovis Artur Silva
- Children and Adolescent Institute, Clinical Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Hamilton Roschel
- Center of Lifestyle Medicine, Applied Physiology & Nutrition Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Rheumatology Division, Clinical Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruno Gualano
- Center of Lifestyle Medicine, Applied Physiology & Nutrition Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Rheumatology Division, Clinical Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Food Research Center, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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D'Isabel S, Berny LM, Frost A, Thongphok C, Jack K, Chaudhry S, Arena R, Smith DL. The effect of mild to moderate COVID-19 infection on the cardiorespiratory fitness of firefighters. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1308605. [PMID: 38106889 PMCID: PMC10724018 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1308605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction An adequate level of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is critical for firefighters to perform the strenuous and physiologically demanding work of firefighting safely and effectively. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been shown to negatively impact CRF in both the acute phase and longer-term following infection. This study aimed to determine changes to the CRF of firefighters pre- to post-mild to moderate COVID-19 infection and to investigate the impact of days past COVID-19 infection on change in CRF. Methods CRF measures from cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) at annual occupational health exams that occurred pre-COVID-19 infection in 2019 were obtained for firefighters from seven Arizona fire departments. Measures were compared to CPET evaluations from annual health exams the following year in a cohort of firefighters who self-reported mild to moderate illness following COVID-19 infection between exams. Results Among a cohort of 103 firefighters, mean age 40 ± 9 years, CRF [as measured by peak oxygen consumption (VO2)] declined by an average of 2.55 ml·kg-1·min-1 or 7.3% (d = -0.38, p < 0.001) following COVID-19 infection (mean time from COVID-19 infection to CPET was 110 ± 78 days). The number of days past COVID-19 infection showed a small, yet significant, relationship to peak VO2 (r = 0.250, p = 0.011). Estimated marginal effects indicated that when biological sex, age, and BMI are controlled for, predicted peak VO2 returned to pre-COVID-19 values ~300 days after COVID-19 infection. Conclusion Peak VO2 (ml·kg-1·min-1) declined 7.3% among firefighters an average of 110 days past reporting mild to moderate COVID-19 infection. This decrease has implications for the operational readiness and safety of firefighters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne D'Isabel
- First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Physiological Sciences, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY, United States
| | - Lauren M. Berny
- Department of Counseling Psychology and Human Services, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States
| | - Alex Frost
- Department of Health and Human Physiological Sciences, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY, United States
| | - Chanhtel Thongphok
- Department of Health and Human Physiological Sciences, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY, United States
| | - Kepra Jack
- HeartFit for Duty, Mesa, AZ, United States
| | | | - Ross Arena
- MET-Test, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Denise L. Smith
- First Responder Health and Safety Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Physiological Sciences, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY, United States
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Fernández-de-las-Peñas C, Palacios-Ceña D. Special Issue "Post-COVID-19 Symptoms in Long-Haulers: Definition, Identification, Mechanisms, and Management". J Clin Med 2023; 12:6458. [PMID: 37892596 PMCID: PMC10607769 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12206458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The worldwide spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a condition caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogen, led to the most unprecedented disease outbreak of this century, provoking around 770 million confirmed cases and nearly 7 million deaths globally [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- César Fernández-de-las-Peñas
- Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), 28922 Alcorcón, Spain;
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7
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Noureddine S, Roux-Claudé P, Eberst G, Westeel V, Barnig C, Claudé F. [The role of the cardiopulmonary exercise test and pulmonary rehabilitation in long COVID-19]. Rev Mal Respir 2023; 40:604-622. [PMID: 37357041 PMCID: PMC10289121 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmr.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Long COVID refers to persistent symptoms, lasting more than 4 weeks after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, even though the infection itself has been successfully controlled and remedied. Patient complaints are diverse, and the underlying physiopathological mechanisms are not well understood. Dyspnea and muscle fatigue are among the most commonly reported symptoms. STATE OF THE ART Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) has been recognized as a useful tool in investigation of unexplained dyspnea. In patients with chronic lung disease, pulmonary rehabilitation is a program designed to counteract dyspnea, to increase exercise capacity and to improve quality of life. PERSPECTIVES Publications on CPET and pulmonary rehabilitation are needed in order to deepen comprehension and enhance management of long-COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS CPET reports have shown that symptoms persisting in the aftermath of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection may be related to deconditioning, a common occurrence after ICU stay, to cardiac dysautonomia subsequent to critical infections and, finally, to dysfunctional breathing subsequent to mild infections. These findings justify pulmonary rehabilitation, which has proven to be effective regardless of the severity of the initial infection, not only immediately after hospital discharge, but also at later points in time.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Noureddine
- Service de pneumologie, d'oncologie thoracique et d'allergologie respiratoire, CHU de Besançon, 3, boulevard Alexandre-Fleming, 25030 Besançon cedex, France.
| | - P Roux-Claudé
- Service de pneumologie, d'oncologie thoracique et d'allergologie respiratoire, CHU de Besançon, 3, boulevard Alexandre-Fleming, 25030 Besançon cedex, France
| | - G Eberst
- Service de pneumologie, d'oncologie thoracique et d'allergologie respiratoire, CHU de Besançon, 3, boulevard Alexandre-Fleming, 25030 Besançon cedex, France
| | - V Westeel
- Service de pneumologie, d'oncologie thoracique et d'allergologie respiratoire, CHU de Besançon, 3, boulevard Alexandre-Fleming, 25030 Besançon cedex, France
| | - C Barnig
- Service de pneumologie, d'oncologie thoracique et d'allergologie respiratoire, CHU de Besançon, 3, boulevard Alexandre-Fleming, 25030 Besançon cedex, France; UMR1098 Inserm, établissement français du sang de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, 8, rue du Docteur-Jean-François-Xavier-Girod, 25000 Besançon, France
| | - F Claudé
- Service de pneumologie, d'oncologie thoracique et d'allergologie respiratoire, CHU de Besançon, 3, boulevard Alexandre-Fleming, 25030 Besançon cedex, France
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Ambrosino P, Marcuccio G, Formisano R, Marcuccio L, Filosa R, Maniscalco M. Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Two Underutilized Approaches with Some Unexpected Benefits. J Clin Med 2023; 12:2847. [PMID: 37109184 PMCID: PMC10146392 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12082847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Although still underutilized [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Ambrosino
- Directorate of Telese Terme Institute, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 82037 Telese Terme, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Marcuccio
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 82037 Telese Terme, Italy; (G.M.); (R.F.)
| | - Roberto Formisano
- Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 82037 Telese Terme, Italy;
| | - Laura Marcuccio
- Neurological Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 82037 Telese Terme, Italy;
| | - Rosanna Filosa
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 82037 Telese Terme, Italy; (G.M.); (R.F.)
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | - Mauro Maniscalco
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 82037 Telese Terme, Italy; (G.M.); (R.F.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Gounaridi MI, Vontetsianos A, Oikonomou E, Theofilis P, Chynkiamis N, Lampsas S, Anastasiou A, Papamikroulis GA, Katsianos E, Kalogeras K, Pesiridis T, Tsatsaragkou A, Vavuranakis M, Koulouris N, Siasos G. The Role of Rehabilitation in Arterial Function Properties of Convalescent COVID-19 Patients. J Clin Med 2023; 12:2233. [PMID: 36983234 PMCID: PMC10056228 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12062233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease, although arterial function involvement has been documented. We assess the impact of a post-acute COVID-19 rehabilitation program on endothelium-dependent vasodilation and arterial wall properties. We enrolled 60 convalescent patients from COVID-19 and one-month post-acute disease, who were randomized at a 1:1 ratio in a 3-month cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program (study group) or not (control group). Endothelium-dependent vasodilation was evaluated by flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and arterial wall properties were evaluated by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) at 1 month and at 4 months post-acute disease. FMD was significantly improved in both the study (6.2 ± 1.8% vs. 8.6 ± 2.4%, p < 0.001) and control groups (5.9 ± 2.2% vs. 6.6 ± 1.8%, p = 0.009), but the improvement was significantly higher in the study group (rehabilitation) (p < 0.001). PWV was improved in the study group (8.2 ± 1.3 m/s vs. 6.6 ± 1.0 m/s, p < 0.001) but not in the control group (8.9 ± 1.8 m/s vs. 8.8 ± 1.9 m/s, p = 0.74). Similarly, AIx was improved in the study group (25.9 ± 9.8% vs. 21.1 ± 9.3%, p < 0.001) but not in the control group (27.6 ± 9.2% vs. 26.2 ± 9.8 m/s, p = 0.15). Convalescent COVID-19 subjects of the study group (rehabilitation) with increased serum levels of circulating IL-6 had a greater reduction in FMD. Conclusively, a 3-month cardiopulmonary post-acute COVID-19 rehabilitation program improves recovery of endothelium-dependent vasodilation and arteriosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ioanna Gounaridi
- 3rd Department of Cardiology, Sotiria Chest Disease Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Angelos Vontetsianos
- Rehabilitation Unit, 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, Sotiria Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Oikonomou
- 3rd Department of Cardiology, Sotiria Chest Disease Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Theofilis
- 1st Department of Cardiology, Hippokration General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Chynkiamis
- Rehabilitation Unit, 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, Sotiria Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Stamatios Lampsas
- 3rd Department of Cardiology, Sotiria Chest Disease Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Artemis Anastasiou
- 3rd Department of Cardiology, Sotiria Chest Disease Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Angelos Papamikroulis
- 3rd Department of Cardiology, Sotiria Chest Disease Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Efstratios Katsianos
- 3rd Department of Cardiology, Sotiria Chest Disease Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Kalogeras
- 3rd Department of Cardiology, Sotiria Chest Disease Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Theodoros Pesiridis
- 3rd Department of Cardiology, Sotiria Chest Disease Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Tsatsaragkou
- 3rd Department of Cardiology, Sotiria Chest Disease Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Manolis Vavuranakis
- 3rd Department of Cardiology, Sotiria Chest Disease Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Koulouris
- Rehabilitation Unit, 1st Respiratory Medicine Department, Sotiria Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Gerasimos Siasos
- 3rd Department of Cardiology, Sotiria Chest Disease Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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10
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Noureddine S, Roux-Claudé P, Laurent L, Ritter O, Dolla P, Karaer S, Claudé F, Eberst G, Westeel V, Barnig C. Evaluation of long-term sequelae by cardiopulmonary exercise testing 12 months after hospitalization for severe COVID-19. BMC Pulm Med 2023; 23:13. [PMID: 36635717 PMCID: PMC9834678 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-023-02313-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is an important clinical tool that provides a global assessment of the respiratory, circulatory and metabolic responses to exercise which are not adequately reflected through the measurement of individual organ system function at rest. In the context of critical COVID-19, CPET is an ideal approach for assessing long term sequelae. METHODS In this prospective single-center study, we performed CPET 12 months after symptom onset in 60 patients that had required intensive care unit treatment for a severe COVID-19 infection. Lung function at rest and chest computed tomography (CT) scan were also performed. RESULTS Twelve months after severe COVID-19 pneumonia, dyspnea was the most frequently reported symptom although only a minority of patients had impaired respiratory function at rest. Mild ground-glass opacities, reticulations and bronchiectasis were the most common CT scan abnormalities. The majority of the patients (80%) had a peak O2 uptake (V'O2) considered within normal limits (median peak predicted O2 uptake (V'O2) of 98% [87.2-106.3]). Length of ICU stay remained an independent predictor of V'O2. More than half of the patients with a normal peak predicted V'O2 showed ventilatory inefficiency during exercise with an abnormal increase of physiological dead space ventilation (VD/Vt) (median VD/VT of 0.27 [0.21-0.32] at anaerobic threshold (AT) and 0.29 [0.25-0.34] at peak) and a widened median peak alveolar-arterial gradient for O2 (35.2 mmHg [31.2-44.8]. Peak PetCO2 was significantly lower in subjects with an abnormal increase of VD/Vt (p = 0.001). Impairments were more pronounced in patients with dyspnea. Peak VD/Vt values were positively correlated with peak D-Dimer plasma concentrations from blood samples collected during ICU stay (r2 = 0.12; p = 0.02) and to predicted diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (r2 = - 0.15; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Twelve months after severe COVID-19 pneumonia, most of the patients had a peak V'O2 considered within normal limits but showed ventilatory inefficiency during exercise with increased dead space ventilation that was more pronounced in patients with persistent dyspnea. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT04519320 (19/08/2020).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Noureddine
- grid.411158.80000 0004 0638 9213Department of Chest Disease, University Hospital Besançon, 25000 Besançon, France
| | - Pauline Roux-Claudé
- grid.411158.80000 0004 0638 9213Department of Chest Disease, University Hospital Besançon, 25000 Besançon, France
| | - Lucie Laurent
- grid.411158.80000 0004 0638 9213Department of Chest Disease, University Hospital Besançon, 25000 Besançon, France
| | - Ophélie Ritter
- grid.411158.80000 0004 0638 9213Department of Chest Disease, University Hospital Besançon, 25000 Besançon, France
| | - Pauline Dolla
- grid.411158.80000 0004 0638 9213Department of Chest Disease, University Hospital Besançon, 25000 Besançon, France
| | - Sinan Karaer
- grid.411158.80000 0004 0638 9213Department of Chest Disease, University Hospital Besançon, 25000 Besançon, France
| | - Frédéric Claudé
- grid.411158.80000 0004 0638 9213Department of Chest Disease, University Hospital Besançon, 25000 Besançon, France
| | - Guillaume Eberst
- grid.411158.80000 0004 0638 9213Department of Chest Disease, University Hospital Besançon, 25000 Besançon, France ,grid.7459.f0000 0001 2188 3779Methodology and Quality of Life in Oncology Unit, University Hospital, Besançon, France and UMR 1098, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Virginie Westeel
- grid.411158.80000 0004 0638 9213Department of Chest Disease, University Hospital Besançon, 25000 Besançon, France ,grid.7459.f0000 0001 2188 3779Methodology and Quality of Life in Oncology Unit, University Hospital, Besançon, France and UMR 1098, University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Cindy Barnig
- grid.411158.80000 0004 0638 9213Department of Chest Disease, University Hospital Besançon, 25000 Besançon, France ,grid.7459.f0000 0001 2188 3779UMR1098, University of Franche-Comté, INSERM, EFS BFC, F-25000 Besançon, France
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11
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Ambrosino P, Sanduzzi Zamparelli S, Mosella M, Formisano R, Molino A, Spedicato GA, Papa A, Motta A, Di Minno MND, Maniscalco M. Clinical assessment of endothelial function in convalescent COVID-19 patients: a meta-analysis with meta-regressions. Ann Med 2022; 54:3234-3249. [PMID: 36382632 PMCID: PMC9673781 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2136403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endothelial dysfunction has been proposed to play a key role in the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its post-acute sequelae. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is recognized as an accurate clinical method to assess endothelial function. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis of the studies evaluating FMD in convalescent COVID-19 patients and controls with no history of COVID-19. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted in the main scientific databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Using the random effects method, differences between cases and controls were expressed as mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). The protocol was registered on PROSPERO with reference number CRD42021289684. RESULTS Twelve studies were included in the final analysis. A total of 644 convalescent COVID-19 patients showed significantly lower FMD values as compared to 662 controls (MD: -2.31%; 95% CI: -3.19, -1.44; p < 0.0001). Similar results were obtained in the sensitivity analysis of the studies that involved participants in either group with no cardiovascular risk factors or history of coronary artery disease (MD: -1.73%; 95% CI: -3.04, -0.41; p = 0.010). Interestingly, when considering studies separately based on enrolment within or after 3 months of symptom onset, results were further confirmed in both short- (MD: -2.20%; 95% CI: -3.35, -1.05; p < 0.0001) and long-term follow-up (MD: -2.53%; 95% CI: -4.19, -0.86; p = 0.003). Meta-regression models showed that an increasing prevalence of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 was linked to a higher difference in FMD between cases and controls (Z-score: -2.09; p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS Impaired endothelial function can be documented in convalescent COVID-19 patients, especially when residual clinical manifestations persist. Targeting endothelial dysfunction through pharmacological and rehabilitation strategies may represent an attractive therapeutic option.Key messagesThe mechanisms underlying the post-acute sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have not been fully elucidated.Impaired endothelial function can be documented in convalescent COVID-19 patients for up to 1 year after infection, especially when residual clinical manifestations persist.Targeting endothelial dysfunction may represent an attractive therapeutic option in the post-acute phase of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Ambrosino
- Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Marco Mosella
- Neurological Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Roberto Formisano
- Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Antonio Molino
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Antimo Papa
- Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrea Motta
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Maniscalco
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.,Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia, Italy
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12
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Oliveira RKF, Nyasulu PS, Iqbal AA, Hamdan Gul M, Ferreira EVM, Leclair JW, Htun ZM, Howard LS, Mocumbi AO, Bryant AJ, Tamuzi JL, Avdeev S, Petrosillo N, Hassan A, Butrous G, de Jesus Perez V. Cardiopulmonary disease as sequelae of long-term COVID-19: Current perspectives and challenges. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:1041236. [PMID: 36530872 PMCID: PMC9748443 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1041236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 infection primarily targets the lungs, which in severe cases progresses to cytokine storm, acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiorgan dysfunction, and shock. Survivors are now presenting evidence of cardiopulmonary sequelae such as persistent right ventricular dysfunction, chronic thrombosis, lung fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension. This review will summarize the current knowledge on long-term cardiopulmonary sequelae of COVID-19 and provide a framework for approaching the diagnosis and management of these entities. We will also identify research priorities to address areas of uncertainty and improve the quality of care provided to these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudolf K. F. Oliveira
- Division of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Rudolf K. F. Oliveira,
| | - Peter S. Nyasulu
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Adeel Ahmed Iqbal
- National Health System (NHS), Global Clinical Network, London, United Kingdom
| | - Muhammad Hamdan Gul
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Eloara V. M. Ferreira
- Division of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Zin Mar Htun
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, National Institute of Health, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Luke S. Howard
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ana O. Mocumbi
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique
- Non-communicable Diseases Division, Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Marracuene, Mozambique
| | - Andrew J. Bryant
- College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Jacques L. Tamuzi
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Sergey Avdeev
- Department of Pulmonology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - Nicola Petrosillo
- Infection Prevention and Control-Infectious Disease Service, Foundation University Hospital Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Ahmed Hassan
- Department of Cardiology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ghazwan Butrous
- Medway School of Pharmacy, University of Kent at Canterbury, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Vinicio de Jesus Perez
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, United States
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13
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Durstenfeld MS, Sun K, Tahir P, Peluso MJ, Deeks SG, Aras MA, Grandis DJ, Long CS, Beatty A, Hsue PY. Use of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing to Evaluate Long COVID-19 Symptoms in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2236057. [PMID: 36223120 PMCID: PMC9557896 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.36057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Reduced exercise capacity is commonly reported among individuals with COVID-19 symptoms more than 3 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection (long COVID-19 [LC]). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is the criterion standard to measure exercise capacity and identify patterns of exertional intolerance. OBJECTIVES To estimate the difference in exercise capacity among individuals with and without LC symptoms and characterize physiological patterns of limitations to elucidate possible mechanisms of LC. DATA SOURCES A search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, preprint servers, conference abstracts, and cited references was performed on December 20, 2021, and again on May 24, 2022. A preprint search of medrxiv.org, biorxiv.org, and researchsquare.com was performed on June 9, 2022. STUDY SELECTION Studies of adults with SARS-CoV-2 infection more than 3 months earlier that included CPET-measured peak oxygen consumption (V̇o2) were screened independently by 2 blinded reviewers; 72 (2%) were selected for full-text review, and 35 (1%) met the inclusion criteria. An additional 3 studies were identified from preprint servers. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Data extraction was performed by 2 independent reviewers according to the PRISMA reporting guideline. Data were pooled using random-effects models. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Difference in peak V̇o2 (in mL/kg/min) among individuals with and without persistent COVID-19 symptoms more than 3 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS A total of 38 studies were identified that performed CPET on 2160 individuals 3 to 18 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, including 1228 with symptoms consistent with LC. Most studies were case series of individuals with LC or cross-sectional assessments within posthospitalization cohorts. Based on a meta-analysis of 9 studies including 464 individuals with LC symptoms and 359 without symptoms, the mean peak V̇o2 was -4.9 (95% CI, -6.4 to -3.4) mL/kg/min among those with symptoms with a low degree of certainty. Deconditioning and peripheral limitations (abnormal oxygen extraction) were common, but dysfunctional breathing and chronotropic incompetence were also described. The existing literature was limited by small sample sizes, selection bias, confounding, and varying symptom definitions and CPET interpretations, resulting in high risk of bias and heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis study suggest that exercise capacity was reduced more than 3 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection among individuals with symptoms consistent with LC compared with individuals without LC symptoms, with low confidence. Potential mechanisms for exertional intolerance other than deconditioning include altered autonomic function (eg, chronotropic incompetence, dysfunctional breathing), endothelial dysfunction, and muscular or mitochondrial pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S. Durstenfeld
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
- Division of Cardiology, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, California
| | - Kaiwen Sun
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Peggy Tahir
- UCSF Library, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Michael J. Peluso
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Steven G. Deeks
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Mandar A. Aras
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
- Division of Cardiology, UCSF Health, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Donald J. Grandis
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
- Division of Cardiology, UCSF Health, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Carlin S. Long
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
- Division of Cardiology, UCSF Health, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Alexis Beatty
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
- Division of Cardiology, UCSF Health, University of California, San Francisco
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Priscilla Y. Hsue
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
- Division of Cardiology, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, California
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14
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Impact of Non-Pharmacological Interventions on the Mechanisms of Atherosclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169097. [PMID: 36012362 PMCID: PMC9409393 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis remains the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide characterized by the deposition of lipids and fibrous elements in the form of atheroma plaques in vascular areas which are hemodynamically overloaded. The global burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is steadily increasing and is considered the largest known non-infectious pandemic. The management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is increasing the cost of health care worldwide, which is a concern for researchers and physicians and has caused them to strive to find effective long-term strategies to improve the efficiency of treatments by managing conventional risk factors. Primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the preferred method to reduce cardiovascular risk. Fasting, a Mediterranean diet, and caloric restriction can be considered useful clinical tools. The protective impact of physical exercise over the cardiovascular system has been studied in recent years with the intention of explaining the mechanisms involved; the increase in heat shock proteins, antioxidant enzymes and regulators of cardiac myocyte proliferation concentration seem to be the molecular and biochemical shifts that are involved. Developing new therapeutic strategies such as vagus nerve stimulation, either to prevent or slow the disease’s onset and progression, will surely have a profound effect on the lives of millions of people.
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15
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Aparisi Á, Ladrón R, Ybarra-Falcón C, Tobar J, San Román JA. Exercise Intolerance in Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 and the Value of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing- a Mini-Review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:924819. [PMID: 35935782 PMCID: PMC9352932 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.924819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with systemic organ damage in the most severe forms. Long-term complications of SARS-CoV-2 appear to be restricted to severe presentations of COVID-19, but many patients with persistent symptoms have never been hospitalized. Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) represents a heterogeneous group of symptoms characterized by cardiovascular, general, respiratory, and neuropsychiatric sequelae. The pace of evidence acquisition with PASC has been rapid, but the mechanisms behind it are complex and not yet fully understood. In particular, exercise intolerance shares some features with other classic respiratory and cardiac disorders. However, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) provides a comprehensive assessment and can unmask the pathophysiological mechanism behind exercise intolerance in gray-zone PASC. This mini-review explores the utility of CPET and aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of PASC by summarizing the current evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro Aparisi
- Unidad de Cardiología Intervencionista, Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Research in Heart Diseases (GREC), Instituto Hospital del Mar de Investigaciones Médicas (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Ladrón
- Servicio de Cardiología, Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Cristina Ybarra-Falcón
- Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Javier Tobar
- Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Centro de investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Javier Tobar
| | - J. Alberto San Román
- Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
- Centro de investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
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16
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Durstenfeld MS, Sun K, Tahir PM, Peluso MJ, Deeks SG, Aras MA, Grandis DJ, Long CS, Beatty A, Hsue PY. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing to evaluate post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 ("Long COVID"): a systematic review and meta-analysis. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2022:2022.06.15.22276458. [PMID: 35734081 PMCID: PMC9216726 DOI: 10.1101/2022.06.15.22276458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Importance Reduced exercise capacity is commonly reported among individuals with Long COVID (LC). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is the gold-standard to measure exercise capacity to identify causes of exertional intolerance. Objectives To estimate the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on exercise capacity including those with and without LC symptoms and to characterize physiologic patterns of limitations to elucidate possible mechanisms of LC. Data Sources We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science, preprint severs, conference abstracts, and cited references in December 2021 and again in May 2022. Study Selection We included studies of adults with SARS-CoV-2 infection at least three months prior that included CPET measured peak VO 2 . 3,523 studies were screened independently by two blinded reviewers; 72 (2.2%) were selected for full-text review and 36 (1.2%) met the inclusion criteria; we identified 3 additional studies from preprint servers. Data Extraction and Synthesis Data extraction was done by two independent reviewers according to PRISMA guidelines. Data were pooled with random-effects models. Main Outcomes and Measures A priori primary outcomes were differences in peak VO 2 (in ml/kg/min) among those with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection and LC. Results We identified 39 studies that performed CPET on 2,209 individuals 3-18 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection, including 944 individuals with LC symptoms and 246 SARS-CoV-2 uninfected controls. Most were case-series of individuals with LC or post-hospitalization cohorts. By meta-analysis of 9 studies including 404 infected individuals, peak VO 2 was 7.4 ml/kg/min (95%CI 3.7 to 11.0) lower among infected versus uninfected individuals. A high degree of heterogeneity was attributable to patient and control selection, and these studies mostly included previously hospitalized, persistently symptomatic individuals. Based on meta-analysis of 9 studies with 464 individuals with LC, peak VO 2 was 4.9 ml/kg/min (95%CI 3.4 to 6.4) lower compared to those without symptoms. Deconditioning was common, but dysfunctional breathing, chronotropic incompetence, and abnormal oxygen extraction were also described. Conclusions and Relevance These studies suggest that exercise capacity is reduced after SARS-CoV-2 infection especially among those hospitalized for acute COVID-19 and individuals with LC. Mechanisms for exertional intolerance besides deconditioning may be multifactorial or related to underlying autonomic dysfunction.
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