Expert review of respiratory medicine
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Expert Rev Respir Med · Feb 2015
ReviewFluticasone furoate and vilanterol inhalation powder for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Fluticasone furoate/vilanterol (FF/VI) is a novel inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β₂-agonist (ICS/LABA) fixed dose combination that, by simplifying the dosing schedule, allows, for the first time in a member of the ICS/LABA class, a shift from twice-daily to once-daily treatment. FF/VI is delivered via a novel, single-step activation, multi-dose dry powder inhaler for oral inhalation, Ellipta. Regrettably, there are no head-to-head trials that have shown superiority in the safety or efficacy of FF versus other ICSs, but evidence shows that VI has a quicker onset of effect versus salmeterol. ⋯ Furthermore, benefits of FF/VI over twice-daily ICS/LABA comparator have not been shown yet and, in addition, its adverse event profile is generally consistent with the known class effects of an ICS/LABA fixed dose combination. In particular, there is an increase in the risk of pneumonia among patients treated with FF/VI relative to VI, mainly among those who benefit most from FF/VI. Nevertheless, the interesting pharmacological profiles of both FF and VI, the possibility that FF/VI can be administered once-daily, and the attractive characteristics of Ellipta are important features that could help FF/VI to be a successful combination in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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Nitric oxide (NO) is a critical signaling molecule in the pulmonary vasculature. NO activates soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) resulting in the synthesis of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) - a key mediator of pulmonary artery vasodilatation that may also inhibit smooth muscle proliferation and platelet aggregation. Pulmonary hypertension, a serious, progressive and often fatal disease is characterized by NO-sGC-sGMP pathway dysregulation. ⋯ Riociguat has a dual mode of action, acting in synergy with endogenous NO and also directly stimulating sGC independently of NO availability. Phase 3 randomized control trials have demonstrated that riociguat improves clinical, physiologic and hemodynamic parameters in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. In this review we will discuss the pharmacologic properties of riociguat and its appropriate implementation into clinical practice.
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Expert Rev Respir Med · Dec 2014
ReviewAdjunctive treatments in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a devastating process that involves pulmonary inflammation, alveolar damage and hypoxemic respiratory failure. Although advances in management approaches over the past two decades have resulted in significantly improved outcomes, death from pediatric ARDS may still occur in up to 35% of patients. ⋯ However, evidence-based data in infants and children in this area are lacking. In this article, the authors review the available evidence supporting (or not supporting) the use of non-ventilatory adjunctive strategies in the management of pediatric ARDS, including prone positioning, pulmonary vasodilators, β-agonists, steroids and surfactant.
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Expert Rev Respir Med · Dec 2014
ReviewNon invasive monitoring in mechanically ventilated pediatric patients.
Cardiopulmonary monitoring is a key component in the evaluation and management of critically ill patients. Clinicians typically rely on a combination of invasive and non-invasive monitoring to assess cardiac output and adequacy of ventilation. ⋯ These advances help to identify hemodynamic changes and allow for interventions before complications occur. In this manuscript, we highlight several important methods of non-invasive cardiopulmonary monitoring, including capnography, transcutaneous monitoring, pulse oximetry, and near infrared spectroscopy.
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Expert Rev Respir Med · Dec 2014
EditorialNew clinical practice guidelines on the classification, evaluation and management of childhood interstitial lung disease in infants: what do they mean?
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) recently published a clinical practice guideline regarding the classification, evaluation, and management of childhood interstitial lung disease in infancy (chILD). As disease entities among infants with ILD are often distinct from forms seen in older children and adults, the guideline encourages an age-based classification system and focuses on the diagnostic approach to neonates and infants <2 years of age. The guideline reviews current evidence and recommendations for the evaluation, relevant genetic studies, and management of symptomatic infants. Here, we summarize the ATS guideline, highlight the major concepts, and discuss future strategies aimed at addressing current gaps in knowledge.