Relationship Between Pulmonary Vascular Dilatation and Clinical Symptoms on Chest Computed Tomography in Patients with Confirmed COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: Chest computed tomography (CT) is important in establishing a diagnosis, including detecting pulmonary vascular dilatation as a radiological feature of COVID-19, and consequently in providing comprehensive treatment. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between pulmonary vascular dilatation and clinical symptoms on chest CT in patients with confirmed COVID-19. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Radiology Department of Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital and Hasanuddin University Hospital, Makassar, Indonesia, from July to September 2021 in a total of 231 patients with confirmed COVID-19. The chi-squared correlation test was used to analyze the data, with p-values of <0.05 considered significant. Results: Pulmonary vascular dilatation was observed in 31 (37.8%) of the 82 patients with confirmed COVID-19 with mild-to-moderate clinical symptoms and in 51 (69.8%) of the 73 patients with confirmed COVID-19 with severe-to-critical clinical symptoms. The incidence of pulmonary vascular dilatation increased in the patients with confirmed COVID-19 with severe-to-critical clinical symptoms. The chief complaints of most patients were cough, shortness of breath, and fever. In the patients with mild-to-moderate clinical symptoms, the most common chief complaint was cough (n=53; 64.63%), while in those with severe-to-critical clinical symptoms, the most common chief complaint was shortness of breath (n=60; 82.19%). Conclusions: Based on chest CT findings, pulmonary vascular dilatation is related to clinical symptoms in patients with confirmed COVID-19.