Lung
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of exercise and vasodilators on cerebral tissue oxygenation in pulmonary hypertension.
Arterial and thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (PH) lead to arterial hypoxaemia. ⋯ In PH-patients but not in controls CTO decreased during exercise. Since CTO was an independent predictor of the work load achieved and the 6MWD cerebral hypoxia may contribute to exercise limitation in PH. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01463514.
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Two phosphodiesterase-type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, sildenafil and tadalafil, are approved for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). It has not yet been observed if transition from sildenafil to tadalafil is beneficial in patients suffering from adverse reactions. Aim of this study was to analyze safety and long-term effects in PAH patients whose treatment was transitioned from sildenafil to tadalafil due to intolerable side-effects. ⋯ The observations of this study indicate that a transition of sildenafil to tadalafil in case of intolerable side effects is a reasonable therapy option in about 50 % of the patients. These results should be verified by a larger prospective study.
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Multicenter Study
Physical activity and the frequency of acute exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Acute exacerbations (AE) in patients with COPD are associated with a decline in lung function, increased risk of hospitalization, and mortality. In this cross-sectional study we tested whether the level of objectively measured daily physical activity and exercise capacity are associated with the number of COPD exacerbations. ⋯ The findings of this study imply that FEV1, independent of inhaled medication, is significantly associated with COPD exacerbations. Neither physical activity nor exercise capacity was independently associated with COPD exacerbations.
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The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) in 2011 showed that low-dose CT (LDCT) screening in high-risk groups reduces lung cancer deaths. Major professional organizations, as well as the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, have endorsed LDCT screening in these select populations. However, major questions remain about whether widespread deployment of CT screening can achieve results similar to the NLST, especially in the community setting. ⋯ These findings highlight the potential challenges of generalizing the NLST mortality benefits in the broad deployment of CT screening. Our results support current recommendations that LDCT screening be performed in a highly structured and integrated setting.
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Guidelines advocate the use of spirometry to assess pulmonary function in asthmatic patients. Commonly used measures include forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced expiratory ratio (FEV1/FVC), and forced mid-expiratory flow between 25 and 75 % of forced vital capacity (FEF25-75). Impulse oscillometry (IOS) is an effort-independent test performed during tidal breathing. IOS may be used to assess the total and central airway resistance at 5 Hz (R5) and 20 Hz (R20), respectively, and hence derive the peripheral airway resistance from the difference (R5-R20). We compared spirometry and IOS as tests of global airway function (i.e., FEV1, FEV1/FVC, R5) and putative measures of small airways function (i.e., FEF25-75, R5-R20) and their relationship to oral steroid and short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) use as surrogates for long-term asthma control. ⋯ Spirometry or IOS measurements were equally useful as potential markers of asthma control in persistent asthmatic patients.