The clinical respiratory journal
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Prognostic factors of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) currently recognized include changes in vital capacity and radiologic findings. However, most of the prognostic studies in IPF are based on clinical studies with preselected IPF populations. Therefore, we decided to analyze the factors influencing IPF prognosis based on the real-practice data from our IPF registry. ⋯ DLCO changes over time were shown as a better predictor of mortality compared with FVC changes in our study. In our opinion it is necessary to implement the DLCO analysis into clinical trials and routine practice.
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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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Observational Study
Emergencies and outcome in invasive out-of-hospital ventilation: An observational study over a 1-year period.
The number of ventilated patients is further increasing which leads to an increasing number of patients with weaning failure. In Germany, the treatment of patients with invasive out-of-hospital becomes more and more common. The aim of the study was to observe the outcome, the frequency and character of emergencies of patients with invasive out-of-hospital ventilation. ⋯ In patients with invasive home mechanical ventilation survival for more than 1 year seems to be common. Only the rate of emergencies affected survival.
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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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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.