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Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 infections can result in a broad spectrum of symptoms from mild to life-threatening. Long-term consequences on lung function are not well understood yet., Methods: In our study, we have examined 134 post-COVID patients (aged 54.83 ± 14.4 years) with dyspnea on exertion as a leading symptom 6 weeks to 24 months after a SARS-CoV-2 infection for bronchodilator responsiveness during their stay in our pulmonary rehabilitation clinic., Results: Prior to bronchial dilation, 6 out of 134 patients (4.47%) presented an FEV1/FVC ratio below lower limit of normal (Z-score = -1.645) indicative of an obstructive airway disease. Following inhalation of a β2-adrenergic agonist we measured a mean FEV1 increase of 181.5 mL in our cohort, which was significantly elevated compared to a historical control group (ΔFEV1 = 118 mL). 28.7% of the patients showed an increase greater than 200 mL and 12% displayed a significant bronchodilation response (>200 mL ΔFEV1 and >12% FEV1 increase). Interestingly, no significant difference in bronchial dilation effect was observed when comparing patients hospitalized and those non-hospitalized during the course of their SARS-CoV-2 infection., Conclusion: Our data provide evidence for increased prevalence of obstructive ventilatory defects and increased bronchodilator responsiveness in patients with persisting symptoms after COVID-19. Depending on the extent of this complication, post-COVID patients may benefit from an adapted β2-inhalation therapy including subsequent reevaluation., (© 2024 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Numerous studies have reported positive effects of exercise training in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) on physical capacity and quality of life. However, evidence is rare on the effects of specific forms of training and further pathophysiological mechanisms in these patients., Objectives: In this multicenter study we aimed to explore the clinical effects of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) in patients with ILD on various outcome measures, including proinflammatory cytokines and myostatin., Methods: We randomly assigned 26 patients with different forms of multidisciplinary confirmed fibrotic ILDs either to the WBVT group (n = 11; 55% male, 61 ± 14 years old, forced vital capacity 83.2 ± 29.3% predicted, 6-min walking distance [6MWD] 478 ± 79 m) performing 3 months of a standardized training (3 times per week), or to a control training group (CTG, n = 15; 60% male, 63 ± 9 years old, FVC 74.6 ± 20.5% predicted, 6MWD 455 ± 85 m) performing sham WBV training. Training in the two groups was performed on a GalileoTM vibration plate (6-20 vs. 5 Hz). The functional assessments before and after the intervention period included pulmonary function, 6MWD test, chair rise test, ultrasonographic measurement of quadriceps muscle thickness (cross-sectional area), quality of life questionnaires, and serum samples., Results: We observed a significant increase in 6MWD (∆Training = 30 m [12-67], p = 0.024) and a decrease of myostatin (∆Training = -465 pg/mL [-713 to -166], p = 0.008) in the WBVT group. In contrast, no significant differences were observed in the CTG., Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that WBVT is able to significantly increase 6MWD and decrease myostatin in patients with fibrotic ILDs. Therefore, WBVT seems to be a beneficial and feasible training modality in ILD patients. Clinical Trial Registry: German Clinical Trials Registry (DRKS00012930)., (© 2020 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) following lung transplantation (LTx) has been shown to be effective with regard to exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQL). However, outcome data is limited with respect to LTx as a population. Differences concerning the effects of PR in patients with single LTx (SLTx) or double LTx (DLTx) have not been studied yet., Objectives: The aim was to compare possible differences concerning PR outcomes between SLTx and DLTx., Methods: In a retrospective analysis (period: 1997-2016), data from 722 patients with either chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; SLTx: n = 129, FEV1 51 ± 17% pred.; DLTx: n = 204, FEV1 74 ± 20% pred.) or interstitial lung disease (ILD; SLTx: n = 135, FVC 58 ± 18% pred.; DLTx: n = 254, FVC 63 ± 18% pred.) after LTx were included. All patients underwent a specialized inpatient PR program. The data of the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) and HRQL (physical [PCS] and mental [MCS] component summary of the SF- 36 questionnaire) were analyzed., Results: Independently from the procedure and pretransplant diagnosis, patients significantly (p < 0.05) improved the 6MWD without any differences between SLTx and DLTx (COPD: SLTx: +109 ± 68 m, DLTx: +117 ± 82 m; ILD: SLTx: +115 ± 80 m, DLTx: +132 ± 77 m). The PCS (COPD: SLTx: +9 ± 9 points, DLTx: +7 ± 9 points; ILD: SLTx: +6 ± 9 points, DLTx: +9 ± 9 points) and MCS (COPD: SLTx: +8 ± 15 points, DLTx: +7 ± 15 points; ILD: SLTx: +10 ± 13 points, DLTx: +8 ± 12 points) also improved significantly without any group differences., Conclusions: LTx patients with a pretransplant diagnosis of COPD or ILD all benefitted significantly and with clinical relevance with regard to exercise capacity and HRQL from an inpatient PR performed within 1 year postoperatively. PR outcomes were similar regardless of SLTx or DLTx., (© 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.)