Impact of COVID‐19 on long‐term lung function in lung transplant recipients: A single‐center retrospective cohort study

Abstract

AbstractAvailable data are limited concerning long‐term lung function (LF) evolution after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection in lung transplant (LT) recipients. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of first SARS‐CoV‐2 infection on long‐term LF in LT recipients. We analyzed spirometry results of LT recipients followed at our institution (March 2020 to July 2022) at 3, 6, and 12 months after first SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Overall, 42 LT patients of our cohort (70%) with COVID‐19 were included for long‐term LF analysis. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) declined significantly at 3 months (−4.5%, −97 mL, 95% CI [−163; −31], p < .01), but not at 6 and 12 months (−3.9%, −65 mL, 95% CI [−168; +39], p = .21). Results were quite similar for the forced vital capacity. Spirometry values declined significantly at 3 months after COVID‐19 in LT recipients, presented a mixed decline at 6 months, and no significant decline at 12 months. image