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. 2022 Jun;2(2):e99.
doi: 10.1002/ctd2.99. Epub 2022 Jun 22.

Focusing on the long-term recovery of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection: Clinically relevant observations

Chunxia Wang  1   2   3 , Yucai Zhang  1   2   3
Affiliations

Focusing on the long-term recovery of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection: Clinically relevant observations

Chunxia Wang et al. Clin Transl Discov. 2022 Jun.

Abstract

Background: The long-term implications of COVID-19 attract global attention in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era. Impaired lung function is the main sequelae in adults' survivors of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods and results: The plasma proteomic pattern provides novel evidence on multiple biological domains relevant to monitoring lung function and targeting the clinical application in adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection (SARS-CoV-2-ARDS). Preliminary studies support the evidence of pulmonary function tests (PFT) and computed tomography (CT) scan as routine follow-up tools. Combining the early fibrotic indicators and D-dimer levels could prove the validity and reliability of the proactive management of lung function assessment during the long-term recovery in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Conclusion: In summary, protocolized PFT and CT scan and effective biomarkers for early fibrotic changes should be applied to clinical practice during the long follow-up in patients with severe COVID-19.

Keywords: SARS‐CoV‐2 infection; impaired lung function; indicators; long‐term recovery; lung fibrosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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