Respiratory medicine
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An ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread around the world. It is debatable whether asymptomatic COVID-19 virus carriers are contagious. We report here a case of the asymptomatic patient and present clinical characteristics of 455 contacts, which aims to study the infectivity of asymptomatic carriers. ⋯ In summary, all the 455 contacts were excluded from SARS-CoV-2 infection and we conclude that the infectivity of some asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 carriers might be weak.
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Extubation of patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a high risk procedure for both patients and staff. Shortages in personal protective equipment (PPE) and the high volume of contact staff have with COVID-19 patients has generated an interest in ways to reduce exposure that might be feasible especially during pandemic times and in resource limited healthcare settings. ⋯ We present a review of the current literature along with recommendations concerning safe extubation during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, a focused summary on the use of portable barrier hood devices, during the recent surge of COVID-19 is highlighted.
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Asthmatic smokers have reduced quality of life and need frequent specialist visits/hospitalization. Smoking habit represents for asthmatics a higher risk for comorbidities and lung function impairment. The impact of cigarette smoking on asthmatics should be addressed to evaluate the related risk factors. ⋯ Heavy smokers had more severe obstructive impairments than light and never smokers with similar ICS dose, showing a steroid insensitivity, but displayed less allergy with low FeNO and blood eosinophil count, thus being a definite phenotype.
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Respiratory medicine · Aug 2020
Observational StudyNew opacities in lung allograft after transbronchial cryobiopsy.
The occurrence of radiological opacities post-transbronchial cryobiopsy may pose serious difficulties in differential diagnosis and management of lung allografts. This prospective study evaluated the frequency, characteristics, and evolution of new lung opacities after performing transbronchial cryobiopsy. ⋯ New pulmonary opacities >10 mm occur frequently after transbronchial cryobiopsy; a few may persist beyond 6 months. CT studies are recommended before implementing transbronchial cryobiopsy, whenever possible.
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Respiratory medicine · Aug 2020
Observational StudyD-dimer in patients infected with COVID-19 and suspected pulmonary embolism.
To analyze the risk factors for pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients infected with COVID-19. ⋯ In conclusion, patients infected with COVID-19 requiring OTI with higher levels of D-dimer have an increased risk of developing PE.