Rehabilitación pulmonar en un paciente internado por hipoxemia post COVID-19

Coronavirus disease is characterized by an acute phase in which respiratory symptoms prevail and a post-acute phase in which symptoms are related to prolonged immobilization, respiratory dysfunctions, cognitive and emotional disorders. Therefore, there is a need for pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) where the objective is to improve the physical and mental conditions of the patient. The following case report aims to describe the progression of a patient hospitalized with hypoxaemia due to the sequelae of COVID-19 pneumonia, who underwent PR to achieve weaning from oxygen and to return home. Male patient, 79 years old, with COVID-19 and bilateral pneumonia who required hospitalization for 28 days. After 15 days of hospitalization, he had developed muscle weakness and high oxygen requirements, and therefore began a PR programme. At 28 days, he was discharged with oxygen. The fourth week after starting rehabilitation, he is able to disconnect from oxygen and continue his outpatient rehabilitation. Patients with COVID-19 with bilateral pneumonia with hypoxaemia should start a PR programme early to avoid or limit the physical and emotional deterioration of the patient.