Expert review of respiratory medicine
-
Expert Rev Respir Med · Feb 2021
Right ventricular dysfunction in patients with non-severe idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a cross-sectional prospective single-center study.
Little is known about right ventricular dysfunction in non-advanced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients without hypoxemia at rest. We evaluated it at rest and during exercise. ⋯ RV dysfunction was detected in 37% of non-advanced IPF patients and early recognition was only possible using speckle-tracking echocardiography. Special attention should be given to these patients as RV dysfunction is suggestive of worse prognosis. These patients could benefit from new specific drugs or even oxygen therapy for transitory hypoxia.
-
Expert Rev Respir Med · Feb 2021
ReviewAcute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19): a practical comprehensive literature review.
The exponential growth of SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission during the first months of 2020 has placed substantial pressure on most health systems around the world. The complications derived from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vary due to comorbidities, sex and age, with more than 50% of the patients requiring some level of intensive care developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The authors carried out an extensive and comprehensive literature review on SARS-CoV-2 infection, the clinical, pathological, and radiological presentation as well as the current treatment strategies. ⋯ ARDS is one of the most frequent complications in patients with COVID-19. Information regarding the etiology and physiopathology are still unfolding and for the prevention and amelioration, good clinical management, adequate ventilatory support and the use of systemic corticoids seem to be the most efficient way to reduce mortality and to reduce hospital lengths.