Kanne JP, Little BP, Schulte JJ, Haramati A, Haramati LB. Long-term Lung Abnormalities Associated with COVID-19 Pneumonia.
Radiology 2022;
306:e221806. [PMID:
36040336 PMCID:
PMC9462591 DOI:
10.1148/radiol.221806]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
In the 3rd year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, much has been learned about the long-term effects of COVID-19 pneumonia on the lungs. Approximately one-third of patients with moderate-to-severe pneumonia, especially those requiring intensive care therapy or mechanical ventilation, have residual abnormalities at chest CT 1 year after presentation. Abnormalities range from parenchymal bands to bronchial dilation to frank fibrosis. Less is known about the long-term pulmonary vascular sequelae, but there appears to be a persistent, increased risk of venothromboembolic events in a small cohort of patients. Finally, the associated histologic abnormalities resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection are similar to those seen in patients with other causes of acute lung injury.
Collapse