Pulmonary vascular and airway changes in previously hospitalised COVID-19 patients: Long-term functional respiratory imaging findings correlate with reduced DLCO.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Persistent respiratory symptoms in COVID-19 patients have raised concerns about structural remodelling in the lung. We assessed structural changes and their correlation with reduced DLCO, eight months after discharge, in previously hospitalised COVID-19 patients.

Materials and methods

An exploratory observational study was conducted on 26 male patients (mean age: 60 years, range: 50-69) previously hospitalised for COVID-19. CT scans, performed eight months post-discharge, were analysed using functional respiratory imaging (FRI) to assess lung structure and function. Analyses were made based on diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO).

Results

Patients with low DLCO (≤75%; n = 9) exhibited a significantly lower proportion of small blood vessels with a c

SUBMITTER: Svensson AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12671730 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature