Abstract
PURPOSE: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes post-acute sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), including pulmonary vasculopathy, increasing thrombotic risk. Screening and treating survivors are essential to reduce associated disabilities. We aim to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with post-COVID-19 condition and pulmonary embolism, as well as their health-related quality of life one year after COVID-19 diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In our study, we analyzed nine cases of post-COVID-19 condition and pulmonary embolism in a tertiary hospital in Taiwan. Patient characteristics, including age, sex, symptoms, and outcomes, were recorded. One year post-diagnosis, patients underwent follow-up with lab tests, chest X-rays, electrocardiograms, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) assessments using the EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) tool. RESULTS: Post-COVID-19 condition with pulmonary embolism predominantly affects females. Common symptoms include breathlessness and chest pain, and a lung perfusion scan may be useful for diagnosis. The one-year follow-up of five patients mainly showed normal lab results and no active lung lesions. The mean EQ-5D score was 0.928 ± 0.119, and the EQ visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) was 85.00 ± 11.18. Pain/discomfort was the most reported issue. CONCLUSION: This research reveals that post-COVID-19 condition with pulmonary embolism affects a significant number of women and those with preexisting conditions like cancer or diabetes. Symptoms overlap also complicates diagnosis. Although many lab results were normal, the elevated risk of pulmonary embolism persists. Lower utility scores and increased anxiety highlight the need for targeted interventions and mental health support. Our study underscores the importance of monitoring pulmonary embolism in patients after COVID-19 infection, given the significant impact on post-COVID-19 condition and overall health outcomes.