Understanding Long COVID: The Journey of an ICU Physician

🩺Dr. Wes Elely, an ICU physician, has been studying long COVID and its impact on patients.

💼Dr. Elely has led large cohort studies and clinical trials to understand and treat acute illnesses, including long COVID.

💰The Reverse Long COVID trial, which aims to improve brain and cardiovascular function in patients, has received significant funding.

💡Research suggests that long COVID may involve disregulated autoimmunity, leading to cognitive impairment and other symptoms.

🔬Dr. Elely and his team are designing the Reverse Long COVID trial with patient representatives to ensure it meets the needs of the long COVID community.

What is the pathophysiology of long COVID?

—Long COVID may involve viral reactivation, immune system dysregulation, and autoimmunity, leading to ongoing symptoms in patients.

What is the Reverse Long COVID trial?

—The Reverse Long COVID trial aims to investigate the effectiveness of immunomodulation therapy in improving brain and cardiovascular function in long COVID patients.

Who is involved in the planning of the trial?

—Dr. Wes Elely is collaborating with researchers from Emory, University of California San Francisco, Minnesota, and Vanderbilt to plan and execute the Reverse Long COVID trial.

What is the goal of the Reverse Long COVID trial?

—The primary goal of the trial is to assess the impact of immunomodulation therapy on brain function in long COVID patients. Secondary outcomes include cardiovascular outcomes and measures related to ME/CFS.

How will patients be enrolled in the trial?

—Patients with long COVID who meet the entry criteria and have no exclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to receive either the immunomodulator or a placebo for a period of 6 months. Their brain and cardiovascular function will be measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.

00:00Dr. Wes Elely, an ICU physician, shares his experience with long COVID and his involvement in research studies.

03:41The Reverse Long COVID trial, led by Dr. Elely and a team of researchers, aims to improve brain and cardiovascular function in long COVID patients through immunomodulation therapy.

08:52Dr. Elely has written a book called 'Every Deep Drawn Breath' to raise funds for long COVID patients and their families.

10:08The Reverse Long COVID trial is currently being planned and aims to involve patient representatives in the decision-making process.

11:07Dr. Elely emphasizes the importance of lighting candles instead of cursing the darkness when it comes to researching and treating long COVID.