A COPD Patient Who Developed Pulmonary Fibrosis Following COVID-19: A Case Study

Authors

  • Aldo Pezzuto Cardiovascular-Respiratory Science Department, Sant’Andrea Hospital-Sapienza University, Via di Grottarossa, 1035/39, 00189; Rome, Italy
  • Giuseppe Tonini Oncology Department, University Campus-Medico, via Alvaro Del Portillo 00128, Roma, Italy
  • Antonella Tammaro Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs [NESMOS], Sapienza University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035, 00189 Rome, Italy
  • Alessandro Laviano Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza University, Roma, Italy
  • Gerardo Salerno Diagnostic Science Department, S Andrea Hospital-Sapienza University, Via di Grottarossa, 1035/39 , 00189; Rome, Italy
  • Massimo Ciccozzi Epidemiology Deapartment, University Campus-Medico, via Alvaro Del Portillo 00128, Roma, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12974/2312-5470.2021.07.06

Keywords:

SARS-Cov-2 pneumonia, Covid-19 related pulmonary fibrosis, Respiratory functional analysis, Steroid, Acetyl-cysteine

Abstract

The new virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) causing Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread to several countries and caused the current pandemic. Different types of clinical manifestations are associated with that infection.

Some drugs have been approved such as anti-viral agents but the use of corticosteroids is controversial. Pulmonary fibrosis is a frequent consequence of Covid-19 that may requires a special attention and a specific follow up.

Herein we report a case of a 68-years-old patient affected by SARS-Cov-2 infection complicated by pulmonary fibrosis who healed from Covid-19 infection after a total inpatient stay of 12 days by with remdesivir treatment. The patient presented a chest fibrosis picture at the discharge that went on at 10 days check with a decline of respiratory functional parameters. For this reason a combined treatment with high dose prednisone and N-acetyl-cysteine was started.

The patients benefited from high dose corticosteroids plus N-acetyl-cysteine leading to a clinical and functional improvement. Indeed, the patient underwent a chest CT-scan and spirometry at one month check after the beginning of the treatment.

Notably both the radiological pattern of fibrosis and respiratory function improved after treatment with prednisone 50 mg a day for 15 days followed by 25 mg for additional 15 days and N-acetylcisteine 600 mg twice a day.

References

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Published

2021-12-31

How to Cite

Pezzuto, A., Tonini, G., Tammaro, A., Laviano, A., Salerno, G., & Ciccozzi, M. (2021). A COPD Patient Who Developed Pulmonary Fibrosis Following COVID-19: A Case Study. Global Journal of Respiratory Care, 7, 35–40. https://doi.org/10.12974/2312-5470.2021.07.06

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