Reston, VA (July 21, 2025)—New research published in the July issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine suggests that long COVID patients with abnormal cardiopulmonary PET/MR findings may face an increased risk of developing heart and lung diseases. The study, which is the largest of its kind to date, emphasizes the need for closer monitoring of these patients.
The study’s findings are particularly significant as the world continues to grapple with the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, over 400 million people have been infected globally, with the United States alone accounting for more than 80 million infections and approximately one million deaths. Long COVID has emerged as a critical public health issue, affecting between one-third and two-thirds of patients months after their initial recovery.
Understanding the Study’s Findings
The research involved 98 patients who had a history of COVID infection and persistent cardiopulmonary symptoms nine to 12 months after their initial infection. These patients underwent advanced imaging techniques, including cardiopulmonary 18F-FDG PET/MRI and dual-energy CT (DECT) scans. A control group of individuals with severe COVID histories but without ongoing cardiopulmonary symptoms was also included for comparison.
Results showed that 57 percent of the long COVID patients had abnormal PET/MRI scans, indicating myocardial, pericardial, periannular, and vascular uptake. In contrast, these abnormalities were absent in the control group. Additionally, 90 percent of the long COVID patients exhibited abnormalities in DECT scans, such as pulmonary infiltrates and abnormal perfusion.
“Unfortunately, the long-term consequences of long COVID remain unknown,” said Maria Giovanna Trivieri, MD, PhD, FACC, FRCPC, associate professor of medicine (cardiology) and associate professor of radiology at the Icahn School of Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Biomedical and Molecular Imaging Institute, in New York, New York.
Expert Opinions and Future Implications
Dr. Trivieri and her colleagues highlight the importance of advanced imaging in identifying potential cardiac and lung abnormalities in long COVID patients. The study’s findings suggest that these abnormalities could be precursors to more severe conditions such as heart failure, mitral regurgitation, and pulmonary hypertension.
Ana Devesa, MD, PhD, a former postdoctoral fellow at the Biomedical and Molecular Imaging Institute in New York and now a group leader at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) in Madrid, emphasized the need for clinicians to take detailed patient histories that include prior COVID infections and long COVID symptoms.
“The results of the study should raise awareness in the clinicians to elicit a proper history that includes prior COVID infection and long COVID symptoms,” stated Ana Devesa.
Broader Context and Historical Parallels
The findings of this study are part of a broader effort to understand the long-term impacts of COVID-19, a virus that has reshaped global health priorities. Historically, pandemics have often left lingering health issues in their wake, and COVID-19 appears to be no exception. The emergence of long COVID as a significant health concern mirrors past experiences with post-viral syndromes, which have often been poorly understood and inadequately addressed.
As researchers continue to unravel the complexities of long COVID, the study underscores the importance of comprehensive patient monitoring and the potential for advanced imaging techniques to play a crucial role in identifying at-risk individuals.
Looking Ahead
The study’s authors advocate for further research to better understand the mechanisms behind the observed cardiopulmonary abnormalities and to develop targeted interventions. As the pandemic evolves, healthcare systems worldwide must adapt to the growing needs of long COVID patients, ensuring they receive the necessary care and monitoring.
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