Archivos de bronconeumología
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Arch. Bronconeumol. · Oct 1994
Comparative Study[A decrease in the level of CPAP required after prolonged treatment in patients with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].
Application of continuous positive upper airway pressure (CPAP) is the treatment of choice in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). CPAP keeps the upper airway open by providing a "pneumatic splint" on the pharyngeal walls. However, it has been suggested that prolonged nasal CPAP treatment may also improve the physiopathological mechanisms responsible for OSAS by a variety of mechanisms such as the reduction of edema of the pharyngeal mucosa, modification of upper airway muscle dynamics; there may even be a reduction in the intensity of phenomena responsible for brief awakening and ending of apneic episodes. ⋯ CPAP levels needed to eliminate episodes of apnea, blood O2 desaturation and snoring at the time of diagnosis and after long-term treatment (8.5 +/- 4.6 months) were applied. Weight was recorder at both measurement times. Eighteen of the 22 patients (1 woman, mean age 53.1 +/- 11.4 years and apnea/hypopnea index 64.8 +/- 23.4 per hour) experienced no weight change during treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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We describe a 39-year-old woman who suffered rupture of the left auricula as a result of a non-penetrating chest wound received in a traffic accident. Rupture of the heart chambers after trauma is not infrequent, but survival is extremely rare. The patient was released from care and has suffered no subsequent complications.
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Arch. Bronconeumol. · May 1994
[Cholesterol in pleural fluid. Its usefulness in differentiating between exudates and transudates].
To analyze the usefulness of cholesterol levels in the differentiation of exudates and transudates. A 3.5-year prospective study of 170 patients with pleural discharge. Clinical microbiological and cyto-histological criteria were used for diagnosis. ⋯ The cholesterol in pleural fluid/serum quotient was the most useful biochemical variable. Cholesterol levels were about as useful as Light's criteria. The association of LDH and cholesterol allows us to bypass blood analyses for the diagnosis of exudates.