Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases
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Comparative Study
Comparison of exhaled endogenous particles from smokers and non-smokers using multivariate analysis.
Smoking, along with many respiratory diseases, has been shown to induce airway inflammation and alter the composition of the respiratory tract lining fluid (RTLF). We have previously shown that the phospholipid and protein composition of particles in exhaled air (PEx) reflects that of RTLF. In this study, we hypothesized that the composition of PEx differs between smokers and non-smokers, reflecting inflammation in the airways. ⋯ The chemical composition of PEx differs between smokers and non-smokers, reflecting differences in the RTLF. The results from this study may suggest that the composition of RTLF is affected by smoking and may be of importance for lung function.
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Controlled Clinical Trial
Effects of nasal high flow on ventilation in volunteers, COPD and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients.
A high flow of air applied by large bore nasal cannulae has been suggested to improve symptoms of chronic respiratory insufficiency. In pediatric patients, nasal high-flow (nHF) ventilation was similarly effective compared to noninvasive ventilation with a face mask. ⋯ nHF resulted in significant effects on respiratory parameters in patients with obstructive and restrictive pulmonary diseases. The rise in pressure amplitude and mean pressure and the decrease in breathing rate and minute volume will support inspiratory efforts, helps to increase effectiveness of ventilation and will contribute to a reduction in the work of breathing. A CO2 wash-out effect in the upper airway part of the anatomical dead space may contribute to the beneficial effects of the nHF instrument.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disorder characterized by high mortality. Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration has a prognostic impact on COPD patients receiving long-term oxygen treatment, but its value as an independent predictor of survival among stable COPD outpatients has not been fully clarified by previous studies. ⋯ This is the first study to indicate that anemia (but not the Hb value) is independently associated with survival in stable COPD outpatients. It would be better to treat this as a categorical variable in future scoring systems.
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Clinical Trial
Transesophageal bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration for diagnosis of sarcoidosis.
Several studies have reported that specimens from mediastinal lesions located adjacent to the esophagus can be sampled using an ultrasound bronchoscope instead of an ultrasound endoscope. ⋯ Transesophageal bronchoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration is feasible, safe and accurate for the diagnosis of stage I/II sarcoidosis.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Agreement between spirometers: a challenge in the follow-up of patients and populations?
Long-term cohort studies and lung function laboratories are confronted with the need for replacement of spirometers. Lack of agreement between spirometers might affect the longitudinal comparison of data, notably when replacing conventional by portable spirometers. ⋯ This study suggests fair agreement between the handheld and the conventional spirometer. Differences slightly exceeding limits for FEV1 in 2 EO devices might be considered mostly irrelevant for clinical practice. However, the systematically lower FVC and FEV1 observed with EO may be significant for epidemiological studies, thus justifying inspection before replacing devices.