Long-term complications of COVID-19

Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2022 Jan 1;322(1):C1-C11. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00375.2021. Epub 2021 Nov 24.

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly spread across the globe and infected hundreds of millions of people worldwide. As our experience with this virus continues to grow, our understanding of both short-term and long-term complications of infection with SARS-CoV-2 continues to grow as well. Just as there is heterogeneity in the acute infectious phase, there is heterogeneity in the long-term complications seen following COVID-19 illness. The purpose of this review article is to present the current literature with regards to the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and proposed management algorithms for the various long-term sequelae that have been observed in each organ system following infection with SARS-CoV-2. We will also consider future directions, with regards to newer variants of the virus and their potential impact on the long-term complications observed.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; long COVID-19; post-COVID-19; sequelae.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • COVID-19 / etiology
  • COVID-19 / physiopathology*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Disease Progression
  • Hematologic Diseases / etiology
  • Humans
  • Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
  • SARS-CoV-2*