Haemodynamic Characteristics of COVID-19 Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Requiring Mechanical Ventilation. An Invasive Assessment Using Right Heart Catheterization

Abstract

The haemodynamic profile of COVID-19 patients needing mechanical ventilation is characterized by combined cardiopulmonary alterations. Low pulmonary vascular resistance, coherent with a blunted hypoxic vasoconstriction, is associated with high cardiac output and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension, that could eventually contribute to lung stiffness and promote a vicious circle between the lung and the heart.