Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases
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The differential diagnosis of pleural effusions can present a considerable challenge, and the etiology of pleural effusions varies depending on the population studied. ⋯ MT is an effective and safe procedure for diagnosing pleural effusions of undetermined causes. In areas with high tuberculosis prevalence, MT should be particularly helpful in the differential diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion.
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Clinical Trial
Endoscopic lung volume reduction with endobronchial valves in patients with severe emphysema and established pulmonary hypertension.
One of the most common forms of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is that associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). So far, patients with severe emphysema and established PH have been excluded from endoscopic lung volume reduction (ELVR) therapy due to the risk of right heart decompensation. ⋯ To our knowledge, this is the first prospective, single-center pilot study to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of ELVR in patients with established PH. ELVR was feasible and resulted in an improvement of clinical and hemodynamic parameters in 5 out of 6 patients. These results have to be further confirmed in larger-scale controlled studies.
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Pulmonary shunt fraction measurement compared to contrast echocardiography in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia patients: time to abandon the 100% oxygen method?
The presence of pulmonary right-to-left shunting (RLS) is associated with severe neurological complications from paradoxical embolisation in patients with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) and screening is warranted. Pulmonary shunt fraction measurement with the 100% oxygen method can be used for the detection and quantification of functional pulmonary RLS, although transthoracic contrast echocardiography (TTCE) has emerged as the gold standard over the last few years. ⋯ Pulmonary shunt fraction measurement with the 100% oxygen method is not a useful screening technique for the detection of pulmonary RLS in HHT as its sensitivity is too low and large pulmonary shunts on TTCE may remain undetected using this method.
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Comparative Study
Opening of a respiratory intermediate care unit in a general hospital: impact on mortality and other outcomes.
Respiratory intermediate care units (RICUs) are specialized areas aimed at optimizing the cost-benefit ratio of care. No data exist about the impact of opening a RICU on hospital outcomes. ⋯ The opening of a RICU may be advantageous to reduce in-hospital mortality, the need for ICU admission, and the hospital stay of patients with AECOPD, CAP, and ARF. Better use of care resources contributed to better patient management in the RICU.
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The prevalence of tobacco smoking in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is high. It is assumed that this group of smokers has more difficulties quitting than smokers without COPD. In order to increase the effectiveness of smoking cessation treatments in smokers with COPD it is important to identify any smoking-related factors which are specific to this group of smokers. ⋯ Smokers with COPD differ from smokers without COPD on several factors which are associated with tobacco smoking and quitting. Taking into account these differences may help to increase the effectiveness of smoking cessation treatments for the specific group of smokers with COPD.