[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/12\/post-covid-19-recovery-clinic\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/12\/post-covid-19-recovery-clinic\/","headline":"The UPMC Post-COVID-19 Recovery Clinic","name":"The UPMC Post-COVID-19 Recovery Clinic","description":"Disclaimer: At UPMC HealthBeat, we strive to provide the most up-to-date facts in our stories when we publish them. We also make updates to our content as information changes. However, education about COVID-19 can shift quickly based on new data, emerging variants, or other factors. The information in this story was accurate as of its […]","datePublished":"2020-12-31","dateModified":"2022-06-14","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/pulmonology-regions","name":"Pulmonology","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/pulmonology-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/pulmonology\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/iStock-942929582-scaled.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/iStock-942929582-scaled.jpg","height":1384,"width":2048},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/12\/post-covid-19-recovery-clinic\/","about":["COVID-19","Family Health","Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":535,"articleBody":"Disclaimer: At UPMC HealthBeat, we strive to provide the most up-to-date facts in our stories when we publish them. We also make updates to our content as information changes. However, education about COVID-19 can shift quickly based on new data, emerging variants, or other factors. The information in this story was accurate as of its publish date. We also encourage you to visit other reliable websites for updated information, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and your state and local governments.\u00a0Many patients who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 continue to experience difficulties and persistent symptoms including dyspnea, cough, or exercise intolerance for weeks or even months following the infection. The cause of these symptoms is unknown and the physiologic impact on pulmonary, cardiac, neurologic, and vascular systems in post-COVID-19 survivors is still undefined.At the UPMC Post-COVID-19 Recovery Clinic, our experts are working to better understand the virus and provide support and access to the latest treatments and trials for patients who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection.Eligible PatientsWe have seen that many patients continue to struggle with the sequelae of COVID-19 infection. At the UPMC Post-COVID-19 Recovery Clinic, we accept referrals for patients who are experiencing the following lingering symptoms:DyspneaShortness of breathExercise intoleranceFatigueWeaknessPersistent coughAutonomic instabilityCognitive difficultiesIf you are treating a patient with these symptoms, our team can help. We will evaluate symptomatic patients to diagnose underlying physiologic impairments responsible for their symptoms, determine if they are at risk for developing more advanced complications, and create a treatment and rehabilitation plan based on our evaluation.Evaluation Process1. Initial visitPatients can be seen in-person or via telemedicine. More advanced symptoms, such as dyspnea on exertion or exercise intolerance will require a clinic visit as these patients may have cardiac injury, post-ARDS fibrotic lung disease, airway disease, parenchymal lung destruction, chronic pulmonary embolism, or myopathy.2. Evaluation and testingWe will screen symptomatic patients for cardiopulmonary injury or impairment that was not present pre-infection or worse post-infection. Our initial evaluation for unexplained dyspnea or exercise intolerance may include routine testing such as echocardiogram, full pulmonary function testing, a six- minute walk, and laboratory data. We will also screen and refer patients to other specialists and services depending on their initial symptom assessment.3. Additional testingDepending on the results of this initial testing and any additional clinical indications, patients may undergo a second stage of testing with cardiac MRI, and either cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) or Advanced Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (ACPET).TreatmentFollowing the evaluation and testing process, our team will provide a recommendation for a treatment plan that best meets each patient\u2019s need. We will coordinate with collaboration with specialties and our colleagues within UPMC to provide a continuum of care for patients post-COVID-19.Specialists include:Primary carePulmonary MedicineCardiologyInfectious DiseasesNephrologyPhysiatryPhysical TherapyOccupational TherapyRadiologyNeuropsychiatryBehavioral healthSocial WorkPhysical Medicine and RehabilitationHow to Refer a PatientOur team includes experts in pulmonary and critical care medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and cardiology. To speak with a member of our team or to refer a patient, call 412-648-6161."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2020","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"12","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/\/12\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The UPMC Post-COVID-19 Recovery Clinic","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/12\/post-covid-19-recovery-clinic\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]