American Physiological Society, Journal of Applied Physiology, 5(135), p. 1012-1022, 2023
DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00267.2023
Full text: Unavailable
Using novel methodology quantifying intrapulmonary shunt and alveolar dead space in COVID-19 patients up to 403 days after acute illness, 37% had increased intrapulmonary shunt and 86% had elevated alveolar dead space likely due to independent pathology. Elevated shunt was partially related to severe acute illness, and increased alveolar dead space was weakly related to increasing age. Ventilation was increased in the majority of patients regardless of previous disease severity. These results demonstrate persisting gas exchange abnormalities after recovery.