Long COVID syndrome after SARS‐CoV‐2 survival in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

AbstractPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) patients have a more severe COVID‐19 course than the general population. Many patients report different persistent symptoms after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The aim of our study is to analyze the prevalence of long COVID‐19 symptoms and assess if COVID‐19 affects pulmonary hypertension (PH) prognosis. PAH/CTEPH patients who survived COVID‐19 for at least 3 months before visiting the PH centers were included in the study. The patients were assessed for symptoms in acute phase of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and persisting in follow‐up visit, WHO functional class, 6‐min walk distance, NT‐proBNP concentration. The COMPERA 2.0 model was used to calculate 1‐year risk of death due to PH at baseline and at follow‐up. Sixty‐nine patients—54 (77.3%) with PAH and 15 (21.7%) with CTEPH, 68% women, with a median age of 47.5 years (IQR 37–68)—were enrolled in the study. About 17.1% of patients were hospitalized due to COVID‐19 but none in an ICU. At follow‐up (median: 155 days after onset of SARS‐CoV‐2 symptoms), 62% of patients reported at least 1 COVID‐19‐related symptom and 20% at least 5 symptoms. The most frequently reported symptoms were: fatigue (30%), joint pain (23%), muscle pain (17%), nasal congestion (17%), anosmia (13%), insomnia (13%), and dyspnea (12%). Seventy‐two percent of PH patients had a low or intermediate‐low risk of 1‐year death due to PH at baseline, and 68% after COVID‐19 at follow‐up. Over 60% of PAH/CTEPH patients who survived COVID‐19 suffered from long COVID‐19 syndrome, but the calculated 1‐year risk of death due to PH did not change significantly after surviving mild or moderate COVID‐19.