Post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis
Deependra K. Rai, Subhash Kumar, Nishant Sahay
Abstract
The most common lung problem faced by a post-COVID patient is lung fibrosis. Clinical recovery is generally complete in mild-to-moderately severe COVID-19 cases but a small proportion of patients with severe disease may go on to develop lung fibrosis. Patient groups at the highest risk to develop lung fibrosis are the elderly, especially those requiring ICU stay and mechanical ventilation. No definitive therapy for managing this pulmonary fibrosis exists as of date, even though various options are being explored. This case series highlights three cases of post-COVID lung fibrosis and reviews the existing literature.
Topics & Concepts
MedicinePulmonary fibrosisCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)FibrosisLungIntensive care medicineLung fibrosisLung diseaseSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakInternal medicineDiseasePathologyInfectious disease (medical specialty)OutbreakLong-Term Effects of COVID-19Interstitial Lung Diseases and Idiopathic Pulmonary FibrosisCOVID-19 Clinical Research Studies