Seguimiento de los pacientes luego de una neumonía por COVID-19. : Secuelas pulmonares.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 has caused an unprecedented pandemic, with a large number of infections and deaths worldwide. Although most cases are mild, there are a considerable number of patients who develop pneumonia or even acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). After recovering from the initial disease, many patients continue with various symptoms (fatigue, dry cough, fever, dyspnea, anosmia, chest pain, among others.), which has led to consider the possible existence of the “post COVID-19 syndrome”. Although the definition and validity of this syndrome are not clear, several studies report that individuals recovered from COVID-19 may have persistent symptoms, radiological abnormalities, and compromised respiratory function. Current evidence suggests that there is a large number of pulmonary sequelae after COVID-19 pneumonia (interstitial thickening, ground glass infiltrate, crazy paving pattern, bronchiectasis, among others.). Likewise, it seems that pulmonary function tests (spirometry, DLCO, 6MWT and the measurement of maximum respiratory pressures) in addition to high-resolution computed tomography are useful for the evaluation of these post-COVID-19 pulmonary sequelae. This review aims to describe the possible pulmonary sequelae after COVID-19 pneumonia, while suggesting diagnostic procedures for their correct evaluation and follow-up; thus, allowing a proper management by a multidisciplinary medical team.