Comprehensive Imaging Exam of Convalesced COVID-19 Patients

As the number of recovered COVID-19 patients increase around the globe, it is important to understand the longterm impact of the disease so that healthcare systems and providers can optimize follow-up care of these patients. Identifying long term effects may also help identify patients with an increased risk of major adverse events following discharge from the hospital. Currently, the long term effects of COVID-19 in discharged hospitalized patients remain unknown. Infection with COVID-19 may result in involvement of many organ systems, including the lung, heart, brain, liver, and kidneys. Patients with a previous history of cardiovascular disease have been found to be at higher risk for incident cardiovascular complications. Direct or indirect effects of COVID-19 infection may predispose patients to thrombotic events including acute myocardial injury or pulmonary defects. Cardio-pulmonary features of COVID-19 include: bilateral multilobar ground-glass opacifications, septal thickening, bronchiectasis, pleural thickening, and subpleural involvement. Gradual resolution of consolidative opacities and other imaging patterns associated with clinical improvement usually occur after the second week of the disease. Characterization and quantification of organ injury as well associated organ dysfunction may help facilitating appropriate prevention and management.