Expert review of respiratory medicine
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Expert Rev Respir Med · Oct 2014
ReviewCurrent applications of capnography in non-intubated patients.
Current clinical guidelines recommend capnography as one of the best non-invasive methods to assess adequacy of ventilation in the non-intubated patient. Alveolar hypoventilation or respiratory depression is a serious event that occurs in a variety of clinical settings where patients receive sedatives and opioids. ⋯ This article reviews the most current evidence for using capnography in the non-intubated patient and summarizes the results of outcome measures reported in recent clinical trials. Capnography should be routinely used for non-intubated patients at risk for respiratory depression, in particular those receiving supplemental oxygen.
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Ivacaftor is an oral bioavailable potentiator of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein. It is the first therapeutic agent that has been registered for clinical use which targets the basic defect in people with cystic fibrosis who carry a G551D mutation or other rarer specific gating mutations. ⋯ It appears to be well tolerated although there are potential interactions with drugs that are metabolised through CYPP450 CYP3A. Ivacaftor is also currently being trialled in combination with correctors for patients with the most common mutation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator the F508del mutation.
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Expert Rev Respir Med · Oct 2014
ReviewPirfenidone for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Pirfenidone is an orally administered drug with anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The efficacy of pirfenidone is supported by a number of Phase III trials as well as a Cochrane meta-analysis and tolerability data are also provided by clinical trials and a long-term extension phase of these studies. ⋯ The primary endpoint of these studies has usually been the change in percentage predicted forced vital capacity from baseline; there has been no improvement in respiratory symptoms and/or quality of life measurements and/or decrease in mortality. Clinical and basic research studies are needed to expand our knowledge, understanding the final role of pirfenidone in the treatment of IPF and also identifing genetic factors that influence the effectiveness of this treatment.
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Expert Rev Respir Med · Oct 2014
ReviewBiomarkers in acute respiratory distress syndrome: from pathobiology to improving patient care.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by alveolar flooding with protein-rich pulmonary edema fluid. Despite an improved understanding of ARDS pathogenesis, our ability to predict the development of ARDS and risk-stratify patients with the disease remains limited. ⋯ We then review evidence that supports the value of various ARDS biomarkers organized by the cellular injury processes central to ARDS development: endothelial injury, epithelial injury, disordered inflammation and coagulation, fibrosis, and apoptosis. Finally, we summarize the growing contributions of genomic and proteomic research and suggest ways in which the field may evolve in the coming years.
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Expert Rev Respir Med · Oct 2014
EditorialAutofluorescence thoracoscopy in pleural disease: does it have clinical relevance?
Thoracoscopy has proved to be a reliable tool to demonstrate or exclude pleural malignancy, with a diagnostic yield of at least 90%. (Auto)fluorescence thoracoscopy is a technique used in clinical practice for the early detection of malignant changes in the pleura in order to increase the detection rate of early malignant disease. The sensitivity of autofluorescence thoracoscopy for detecting malignant lesions on the pleural surface was, in our experience, 100% and the specificity was 75%. Autofluorescence thoracoscopy is still in the preclinical research stage and not yet ready for routine use in clinical practice. It will neither increase the (already very high) diagnostic yield of thoracoscopy nor change treatment in patients suffering from malignant pleural disease.