Chest
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Multicenter Study
A Longitudinal Cohort Study of Aspirin Use and Progression of Emphysema-like Lung Characteristics on CT Imaging: The MESA Lung Study.
Platelet activation reduces pulmonary microvascular blood flow and contributes to inflammation; these factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of COPD and emphysema. We hypothesized that regular use of aspirin, a platelet inhibitor, would be associated with a slower progression of emphysema-like lung characteristics on CT imaging and a slower decline in lung function. ⋯ Regular aspirin use was associated with a more than 50% reduction in the rate of emphysema progression over 10 years. Further study of aspirin and platelets in emphysema may be warranted.
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The optimal modality for restaging the mediastinum following neoadjuvant therapy for lung cancer remains unclear. Surgical methods are currently considered the reference standard. The present study evaluates the role of endosonographic techniques for mediastinal restaging in lung cancer. ⋯ Endosonographic procedures are safe and highly specific in mediastinal restaging of lung cancer.
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Paracentesis is a commonly performed procedure and generally considered to be low risk. Despite its overall favorable safety profile, use of ultrasound has been demonstrated to reduce the incidence of complications, especially in higher risk patients. Many individual ultrasound techniques have been described in the literature, each with the goal of making paracentesis safer. This article presents a systematic approach for incorporating many of these tools into bedside practice and includes a series of illustrative figures and narrated video presentations to demonstrate the techniques described.
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Air pollution exposure is associated with acute exacerbation, disease progression, and mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The objective of this study was to describe the impact of air pollution exposures on disease severity, as well as changes in lung function, in patients with IPF. ⋯ Higher air pollution exposures were associated with lower lung function, but not changes in lung function, in patients with IPF. Further studies are needed to characterize the mechanisms underlying this relationship.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Stable-State Midrange Proadrenomedullin Is Associated With Severe Exacerbations in COPD.
Elevated levels of midrange proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) are associated with worse outcome in different diseases, including COPD. The association of stable-state MR-proADM with severe acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPDs) requiring hospitalization, or with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in patients with COPD, has not been studied yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of stable-state MR-proADM with severe AECOPD and CAP in patients with COPD. ⋯ Stable-state high-level MR-proADM in patients with COPD is associated with severe AECOPD but not with CAP.