Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases
-
The available evidence for long-term, low-dose treatment with 14- and 15-membered ring macrolides in non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis, COPD, chronic sinusitis, and asthma is reviewed with special attention to possible adverse effects and the emergence of resistance during long-term macrolide treatment. Macrolide maintenance therapy has been proven to be of benefit in diffuse panbronchiolitis and CF, presumably due to an anti-inflammatory mechanism of action in addition to its direct antimicrobial effect. Solid evidence to justify this treatment regimen for non-CF bronchiectasis, asthma, or sinusitis is still lacking, although a beneficial effect of long-term macrolide therapy has been found in small clinical trials on these subjects. ⋯ Aside from its beneficial effects, possible side effects of macrolide treatment should be taken into account, the most important of these being gastrointestinal upset and cardiac arrhythmias. Development of macrolide resistance among respiratory pathogens is very common during long-term macrolide treatment. Whether this finding is clinically significant is a matter of debate.
-
Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Predicting nocturnal hypoventilation in hypercapnic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients undergoing long-term oxygen therapy.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients are very sensitive to changes in pulmonary mechanics and central ventilation control during sleep and may develop significant gas exchange alterations with increased hypoxemia and hypercapnia. Oxygen therapy improves nocturnal desaturation but can worsen hypoventilation. ⋯ NHV is a relatively common finding in stable hypercapnic COPD patients undergoing LTOT and it is related to a higher BMI and lower PaO2 after oxygen administration.
-
Supportive and palliative care is an interdisciplinary challenge with the aims of symptom relief and improvement of quality of life in end-stage patients. Main complaints of patients with advanced nonmalignant lung disease are depression and anxiety, dyspnea, pain, and coughing. ⋯ Furthermore, continuing education for health professionals in palliative care ensures adequate palliative support. Here, we review insights into symptom control and palliative care in patients with advanced nonmalignant respiratory disease.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
The total face mask is more comfortable than the oronasal mask in noninvasive ventilation but is not associated with improved outcome.
Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NPPV) is commonly used to improve ventilation and oxygenation and avoid endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Although clinically indicated, most patients fail to use NPPV due to mask intolerance. A total face mask was designed to increase compliance, but whether this translates into better outcome (improvement in clinical and blood gas parameters and less intubation) is unknown. ⋯ The total face mask was more comfortable, allowing the patients to tolerate NPPV longer; however, these accomplishments did not translate into a better outcome. Due to its comfort, the total face mask should be available, at least as an option, in units where NPPVs are routinely applied.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Propofol safety in bronchoscopy: prospective randomized trial using transcutaneous carbon dioxide tension monitoring.
Midazolam is commonly used for sedation during flexible bronchoscopy because of its relatively wide therapeutic window. Recently, sedation with propofol for bronchoscopy has gained popularity, although concern has been raised regarding its potential ability to induce severe respiratory depression. ⋯ Midazolam + alfentanil and propofol are equally safe for sedation during bronchoscopy. Sedation with propofol, using small boluses at short intervals, does not cause excessive respiratory drive depression and represents an excellent alternative to traditional sedation agents.