The clinical respiratory journal
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Comparative Study
The declined levels of inflammatory cytokines related with weaning rate during period of septic patients using ventilators.
Approximately 50% of patients with sepsis-induced acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome require mechanical ventilation. Patients with extended mechanical ventilator use routinely develop reinfections, which increases hospital stay, mortality, and health care cost. Some studies have pointed out inflammatory factors concentrations can affect ventilator weaning, but do not indicate changed inflammatory factors related to ventilator weaning during using ventilators. ⋯ The factors of ventilators weaning successfully such as disease control, nutritional status, and so on. The declined levels of serum inflammatory cytokines, especially IL-6, improved inflammation status might be one factor of successfully weaning during septic patients on ventilators.
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Comparative Study
Usefulness of admission red blood cell distribution width as a predictor of severity of acute pulmonary embolism.
Previous researches have represented a considerable relation between acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW). To the authors' knowledge no research has been informed in subjects with PE severity. Pulmonary arterial obstruction index (PAOI) is associated with the severity of acute PE. ⋯ PAOI was correlated with PE severity, D-dimer level, sPAP and clinical probability scores. PAOI was correlated with RDW levels. RDW levels, an inexpensive and easily measurable laboratory factor, were considerable associated with the severity and presence of PE.
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Comparative Study
Radiologic computed tomography features of Mycobacterium abscessus in cystic fibrosis.
Mycobacterium abscessus infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients can lead to poor outcomes. Early diagnosis is important, but there are no studies outlining specific imaging features of M. abscessus in CF. ⋯ The most common CT features of early M. abscessus in our CF population include bronchiectasis, mucus plugging, and consolidation, but the findings did not reveal a unique radiologic signature. CT at this initial time point may not distinguish early M. abscessus infection from background lung disease or mycobacterial colonization in CF patients.
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Reliable differentiation of benign from malignant mediastinal lymphadenopathy is important, especially in countries with a high tuberculosis burden. We hypothesized that specific sonographic features on endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) may differentiate benign from malignant nodes. In this study, the sonographic features of non-malignant and malignant nodes were compared. ⋯ Sonographic features of well-defined margins, presence of central hilar structure, and presence of nodal conglomeration in the lymph nodes on EBUS are predictive of benign disease.
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The important role of radiological examinations of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in patients with neutropenia has been well studied; however, little is known about IPA in critically ill chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. ⋯ Multiple nodules that were distributed along with broncho-vascular bundles were relatively common and specific in critically ill COPD patients with IBPA. Deteriorated CXR combined with specific laboratory examinations, even when appropriate antibiotics were used, could indicate a diagnosis of IBPA. Large consolidations might be considered as poor prognostic indicators.