[⁶⁸Ga]FAPI PET/CT reveals increased pulmonary fibroblast activation protein expression in long COVID patients after ICU discharge

Purpose: Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) has emerged as a major healthcare problem. A comprehensive mechanism of disease remains to be elucidated. In this study we aimed to explore pulmonary and muscle fibroblast activation protein (FAP) activity in former critical COVID-19 patients with persistent dyspnea, using [⁶⁸Ga]FAPI-46 PET/CT.

Methods: In this single center prospective observational study we included former critical COVID-19 patients reporting complaints of dyspnea > 3 months after hospital discharge. A [⁶⁸Ga]FAPI PET/CT scan was performed including a high-resolution CT scan, lung function test, EQ-5D questionnaire, 6 min walking test and inflammatory markers. Age and sex-matched subjects, without pulmonary pathology, served as controls. The [⁶⁸Ga]FAPI uptake was corrected for lean body mass and the target-to-background ratio (TBR) was calculated.

Results: Eighteen PASC patients and 15 controls (median age 59 and 63 years and BMI of 34.6 and 25.2 kg/m²) were included. The interval between hospital discharge and study visit was 30 months. Increased pulmonary FAP expression was observed in PASC, (TBR 0.79 ± 0.23) compared to controls (TBR 0.40 ± 0.13, P < 0.001). Increased FAP expression was also observed in the paravertebral muscles (PASC: TBR 1.17 and controls TBR 1.00, P = 0.03). Forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity showed moderate negative correlation with the pulmonary TBR, while the percentage of ground glass opacities showed a moderate positive correlation.

Conclusion: [⁶⁸Ga]FAPI PET/CT demonstrated elevated FAP expression in PASC. These findings provide insight into possible pathophysiological mechanisms of PASC and a potential new diagnostic modality.