A clinically significant subset of patients with Post COVID-19 condition develop confirmed pulmonary fibrosis. This complication requires a targeted therapeutic approach — one that begins with objective confirmation of the diagnosis before any treatment decision is made.
Long COVID with confirmed pulmonary fibrosis. When pulmonary fibrosis is suspected in a patient with long COVID, chest computed tomography is the recommended modality to assess the degree of fibrosis and inform the therapeutic decision.
When pulmonary fibrosis is objectively confirmed, management involves anti-fibrotic drug therapy — but only after the extent of fibrosis has been established. Pre-existing pulmonary conditions are a key consideration before initiating this class of therapy.
If pulmonary fibrosis is suspected in patients with long COVID, chest computed tomography is recommended to assess the degree of pulmonary fibrosis (A, I).
The use of antifibrotic drugs is not recommended without confirming the degree of pulmonary fibrosis (G, III).
Additionally, the use of anti-fibrotic drugs necessitates consideration of pre-existing pulmonary conditions, with reports suggesting active treatment with anti-fibrotic drugs in the presence of pre-existing pulmonary fibrosis.
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