FIG. 3:

Timeline of the dynamic changes resulting from SARS-CoV-2 exposure. The current understanding of the pathophysiological processes from the early anti-viral immune response to the development of ARDS and multi-organ failure due to hyperinflammation, opens a “hypothetical window of opportunity” for intervention with LDRT. However, this is a concept that needs to be tested and confirmed with biomarkers of immune and inflammatory response (see Tables and 3 for potential biomarkers) alongside tissue oxygenation status. The LDRT window of opportunity will likely follow the principle of ‘as early as possible and as late as necessary’ but the suggestion is that LDRT will be most effective during the early stages of inflammation, with the caveat of potential adverse effects of lung radiation exposure and combined injury.