This study aimed to evaluate the cardiopulmonary function and impairment of exercise endurance in patients with COVID-19 after 3 months of the second wave of the pandemic in Turkey. A total of 51 consecutive COVID-19 survivors, mostly healthcare providers, still working in the emergency room and intensive care units of the hospital after the second wave of Covid 19 pandemia were included in this study. Cardiopulmonary exercise stress test was performed. The median of the exercise time of the COVID-19 survivors, was 10 (4.5–13) minutes and the mean 6.8 ± 1.3 Mets was achieved. The VO2 max of the COVID-19 survivors was 24 ± 4.6 ml kg−1 min−1 which corresponds the 85 ± 10% of the predicted VO2 max value. The VO2WRs value which was reported about 8.5–11 ml min−1 per watt in healthy individuals as normal was found lower in Covid 19 survivors (5.6 ± 1.4). The percentage of the maximum peak VO2 calculated according to the predictable peak VO2 of the COVID-19 survivors, was found significantly lower in male patients (92 ± 9.5% vs 80 ± 8.5%, p: 0.000). Also, there was a positive correlation between the percentage of the maximum predicted VO2 measurements and age (r: 0.320, p: 0000). The peak VO2 values of COVID-19 survivors decreased, and simultaneously, their exercise performance decreased due to peripheral muscle involvement. We believe that COVID-19 significantly affects men and young patients.

Lung transplantation is a life-saving treatment for patients with end-stage lung disease. Although the number of lung transplants has increased over the years, the number of available donor lungs has not increased at the same rate, leading to the death of transplant candidates on waiting lists. In this paper, we presented our initial experience with the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to lung transplantation. Between December 2016 and August 2018, we retrospectively reviewed the use of ECMO as a bridge to lung transplantation. Thirteen patients underwent preparative ECMO for bridging to lung transplantation, and seven patients successfully underwent bridging to lung transplantation. The average age of the patients was 45.7 years (range, 19-62 years). The ECMO support period lasted 3-55 days (mean, 18.7 days; median, 13 days). In seven patients, bridging to lung transplantation was performed successfully. The mean age of patients was 49.8 years (range 42-62). Bridging time was 3-55 days (mean, 19 days; median, 13 days). Two patients died in the early postoperative period. Five patients survived until discharge from the hospital. One-year survival was achieved in four patients. ECMO can be used safely for a long time to meet the physiological needs of critically ill patients. The use of ECMO as a bridge to lung transplantation is an acceptable treatment option to reduce the number of deaths on the waiting list. Despite the successful results achieved, this approach still involves risks and complications.

No abstract

No abstract