Cardiorespiratory changes in post-COVID-19 patients

Aim. To investigate the most significant changes in the cardiorespiratory system among COVID-19 patients. Materials and methods. This study enrolled 34 subjects diagnosed with U07.1 and U07.2 according to ICD-10 and temporary guidelines of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Results. Our findings revealed that despite shortness of breath on exertion, patients with COVID-19 had normal spirometric values six months after recovery. In all subjects, shortness of breath was induced by detraining. Conclusion. In patients with COVID-19, shortness of breath on exertion may not always correlate with ventilation disorders but is often induced by detraining. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing is a method of choice for the identification of cardiorespiratory diseases and should be performed 6 months after COVID-19 and following post-COVID rehabilitation.