Late Breaking Abstract - PULMONARY REHABILITATION IN POST - COVID SUBJECTS WITH MODERATE LUNG RESTRICTION, A CASE SERIES

Rehabilitation of Covid19 survivors is the next pandemic challenge. Recently ERS task force stated that data on safety and efficacy is still lacking. The goal of this case series is to present data related to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in post Covid19 subjects submitted to mechanical ventilation (MV), that developed pulmonary fibrosis, lung restrictive disorders, mild hypoxemia, loss of muscle mass, and exertion intolerance. From the November of 2020 up to April 2021 we screened 9 patients with history of prolonged MV, chest CT scan showing ground-glass opacities, lung restriction confirmed by body plethysmography. The subjects underwent inpatient PR according to the ERS/ATS statement at CASA DI CURA VILLA SERENA, Piossasco, Italy. All individuals followed an assessment protocol with a 6-minute walk test, lung function tests, and blood gas analysis. Rehabilitation protocol comprised aerobic and strength exercise training, respiratory physiotherapy, and pharmacologic treatment with cortisone and bronchodilators. Subjects were normoxemic and normocapnic in O2-therapy with mixed pulmonary disorder (moderate lung restriction, severe CO diffusion reduction). After PR patients improved functional status peripheric saturation during exertion and dyspnea (table 1). Data demonstrated that PR in post Covid19 patients with pulmonary fibrosis and lung restriction, improve exercise tolerance, oxygen saturation and dyspnea.