The clinical respiratory journal
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Multicenter Study
A survey of knowledge and application of mechanical thromboprophylaxis among the medical staff of intensive care units in North China.
Mechanical prophylaxis with graduated compression stockings (GCS) or intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) is suggested for patients who are bleeding or at high risk for major bleeding. ⋯ A wide gap exists with regards to the knowledge and application of mechanical thromboprophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) between the medical staff of our country and abroad. Strengthened standardized training may help medical staff improve their understanding and application of mechanical thromboprophylaxis. Amelioration of concerns regarding IPC and GCS could help increase the rate of mechanical thromboprophylaxis for VTE, reduce the occurrence of VTE in ICUs and improve the prognosis of these critically ill patients.
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It has been demonstrated that long-term oxygen therapy increased exercise capacity, improved the quality of life, reduced hospitalization and increased life expectancy in chronic hypoxemic COPD patients. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in COPD patients receiving long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) compared to COPD patients not receiving LTOT. ⋯ Those COPD patients receiving the LTOT benefited from the PR as much as those COPD patients not receiving LTOT. The former group had a higher increase in 6mWD and a higher reduction in dyspnea symptoms. Further studies are required to understand to what extent the severe chronic hypoxemic COPD patients could benefit from the PR.
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Tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) is a frequent finding in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, its prognostic significance and relation to PAH, while suspected, are poorly understood. We assessed 727 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed PAH who underwent transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation of tricuspid valve function. ⋯ Severe TR was a significant predictor of long-term mortality rate in PAH, and TR severity correlated with PAH severity.
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This study aims to investigate the correlation between α-amylase in tracheal aspirates and risk factors of aspiration, as well as ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), in elderly patients undergoing mechanical ventilation and explore the clinical value of α-amylase for predicting VAP. ⋯ Tracheal aspirate α-amylase can serve as a biomarker for predicting VAP in elderly patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.
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Anxiety and depression might frequently affect bronchiectasis patients, but data in Chinese patients, including their association with disease severity assessed with Bronchiectasis Severity Index (BSI) and FACED score, are limited. ⋯ Anxiety and depression are common in bronchiectasis and can negatively affect HRQoL, but not related to disease severity. Prompt assessment and treatment of these mental disorders, regardless of bronchiectasis severity, are advocated and might improve HRQoL.