3D scan shows severe lung damage in US coronavirus patient

The patient did not have any symptoms a few days before the scan but now requires several machines to properly breathe.

George Washington University Hospital has released a video of a 3D scan that shows how COVID-19 infects the lungs and causes inflammation, which can have severe and even fatal consequences.

"I want people to see this and understand what this can do," said Dr. Keith Mortman, chief of thoracic surgery at George Washington University Hospital in an interview with CNN. "People need to take this seriously."

The 59-year-old male patient did not have any symptoms of COVID-19 a few days before the scan. Although the patient has high blood pressure, Mortman said that he was “generally healthy” before contracting the virus and now requires a ventilator set to the highest possible setting and another machine to circulate and oxygenate his blood.


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Areas that are marked yellow on the lungs in the scan, which can be seen in the video above, indicate areas that are infected and inflamed. "Unfortunately, once damaged to this degree, the lungs can take a long time to heal. For approximately 2-4 per cent (depending on which numbers you believe) of patients with COVID-19, the damage is irreversible and they will succumb to the disease," Mortman explained in the CNN interview.

Inflammation occurs because the body is trying to prevent the virus from spreading into the mucus membranes and can cause the patient to gasp because the lungs are struggling to oxygenate the blood and remove carbon dioxide. While some patients that have tested positive for COVID-19 might display only mild symptoms, other patients could suffer permanent lung damage and require extensive care in the ICU for weeks.

There are more than 6,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canada and just over 60 Canadians have died from it, as of March 30. The number of confirmed cases rapidly increased over the past few weeks due to increased testing and a high rate of travellers returning home. Officials are urging everyone to maintain social distancing and to only go out to the grocery store or other essential services when it is absolutely necessary.

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WAYS TO AVOID INFECTION

The Government of Canada recommends taking preventative actions to slow the spread of viruses, which include:

  • Practicing social distancing and proper hygiene

  • Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has an alcohol content of at least 60 per cent

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick

  • Stay home if you are sick or have symptoms