Comprehensive Imaging Exam of Convalesced COVID-19 Patients

Overview

COVID-19 is a systemic inflammatory disease involving many organs including the lungs, vascular system liver and myocardium that lead to severe pathologies. Patients with severe cardiopulmonary symptoms usually require weeks to months to fully recover. Studies of clinical and subclinical impairments of COVID-19 patients are important for medical practice and public health as well as providing pathogenic insight to the viral infection and secondary immune response. Chronic damage of vital organs and systems, and the potential long-term effects is of serious concern. In this study the investigators plan to quantify and characterize chronic consequences of COVID-19 in individuals who receive similar medical care related to disease severity and duration in a single health care system. Using state-of-the-art Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology, we will study the pathology in major organ systems in comparison to matched controls. The results of this study may facilitate measures to prevent, detect, and manage complications from COVID-19 infections.

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.