Background

Methods

• The study assessed the systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics, ventilation and gas exchange in 10 patients who had recovered from COVID-19 and did not have cardiopulmonary disease during invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing (iCPET).
• The findings were compared with those of 10 age- and sex-matched control subjects.
• The data were then employed to determine the potential reasons for exertional limitation among patients who had recovered from COVID-19.

Results

Conclusions

Patients who have recovered from COVID-19 with no history of cardiopulmonary disease appear to have a marked reduction in peak VO₂ from a peripheral rather than a central cardiac limit. Additionally, they have a heightened hyperventilatory response during exercise.

Source: Singh I, Joseph P, Heerdt PM, et al. Persistent exertional intolerance after COVID-19: insights from invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Chest. 2022;161(1):54-63.