Functional disorders of the respiratory system after a new coronavirus infection COVID-19

Abstract

COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) is an infectious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, characterized by a high level of morbidity and mortality. A new coronavirus infection affects all organs and systems and often occurs with lung damage and respiratory failure. In a significant part of patients after the acute period of COVID-19, the symptoms of the disease persist, but the most problematic symptoms are the ones regarding lung damage that persists for a long amount of time. This review summarizes the results of our research in 20202021. The purpose of the conducted studies was to estimate the functional parameters of the respiratory system in patients that have been infected by COVID-19. Along with conventional pulmonary function tests (spirometry, body plethysmography and diffusion test), impulse oscillometry, the multiple-breath nitrogen washout test, determination of the maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures were performed in all patients. Thus, we evaluated the ventilation and gas exchange function of the bronchopulmonary system, the functional state of the peripheral parts of the lungs, including the small airways, the uniformity of pulmonary ventilation and the strength of the respiratory muscles in different periods of recovery after COVID-19, including the follow-up after medical rehabilitation. To sum up, comprehensive functional assessment of the respiratory system is an important clinical tool that allows the planning of pharmacotherapy and to create individual programs of medical rehabilitation of patients who had COVID-19.