Chest
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Comparative Study
Identification of stage I non-small cell lung cancer patients at high risk for local recurrence following sublobar resection.
An increasing proportion of patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is undergoing sublobar resection (L-). However, there is little information about the risks and correlates of local recurrence (LR) after such surgery, especially compared with patients undergoing lobectomy (L+). ⋯ Patients with stage I NSCLC who undergo L- have an increased risk of LR compared with patients undergoing L+, particularly when they have tumors grade ≥ 2 or tumor size > 2 cm. If L- is considered, additional local therapy should be considered to reduce this risk of LR, especially with tumors grade ≥ 2 or size > 2 cm.
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The clinical yield of cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) radiofrequency ablation of atrial flutter (AF) is limited by a high incidence of atrial fibrillation (AFib) in the long term. Among other acknowledged variables, the association of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could favor incomplete arrhythmia control in this setting. We assessed the impact of CPAP in reducing the occurrence of AFib after CTI ablation. ⋯ OSA is a prevalent condition in patients with AF. Treatment with CPAP is associated with a lower incidence of newly diagnosed AFib after CTI ablation. Screening for OSA in patients with AF appears to be a reasonable clinical strategy.
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Comparative Study
Mechanisms of decrease in fractional exhaled nitric oxide during acute bronchoconstriction.
Fractional exhaled nitric oxide measured at expiratory flow of 50 mL/s (Feno50), a biomarker of airway inflammation, is affected by changes in airway caliber. Whether a lower Feno50 level during bronchoconstriction is only an artifact due to the strong flow dependence of this parameter is controversial. ⋯ The changes in airway caliber induced by noninflammatory stimuli alter NO transport in the lung. The changes in NO dynamics are limited to conductive airways and are characterized by a reduction of NO flow to luminal space.
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This guideline is intended to provide an evidence-based approach to the initial evaluation of patients with known or suspected lung cancer. It also includes an assessment of the impact of timeliness of care and multidisciplinary teams on outcome. ⋯ The initial evaluation of patients with lung cancer should include a thorough history and physical examination, pulmonary function tests, CT imaging, basic laboratory tests, and selective testing for distant metastases and paraneoplastic syndromes.
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This section of the guidelines is intended to provide an evidence-based approach to the preoperative physiologic assessment of a patient being considered for surgical resection of lung cancer. ⋯ A careful preoperative physiologic assessment is useful for identifying those patients at increased risk with standard lung cancer resection and for enabling an informed decision by the patient about the appropriate therapeutic approach to treating his or her lung cancer. This preoperative risk assessment must be placed in the context that surgery for early-stage lung cancer is the most effective currently available treatment of this disease.