The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Nov 2007
Clinical TrialSafety and efficacy of transition from subcutaneous treprostinil to oral sildenafil in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Sildenafil is a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), and has been shown to improve 6-minute walk distance (SMWD) and World Health Organization (WHO) functional class in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (iPAH) and PAH associated with connective tissue disease or with repaired congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunts. Despite the efficacy of sildenafil in patients on conventional therapy with diuretics and anti-coagulants, little is known of the safety and efficacy of transitioning patients already established on parenteral prostanoid therapy to sildenafil. ⋯ The transition from subcutaneous treprostinil to sildenafil was safely achieved in most (71%), but not all, patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension of varied etiology. These patients had an improvement in both NYHA functional class and QOL, and maintained stable walk distances over a 3-month period on sildenafil therapy.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Nov 2007
Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid proteome in bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome: possible role for surfactant protein A in disease onset.
Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) affects long-term survival of lung transplant (Tx) recipients (LTRs), with no consistently effective treatment strategy. Identifying early markers of BOS is of paramount importance for improving graft survival. ⋯ Our results suggest that testing SP-A levels in BALf could predict LTR patients who are at higher risk of BOS development.
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J. Heart Lung Transplant. · Nov 2007
Regional breath sound distribution analysis in single-lung transplant recipients.
Perfusion scintigraphy has been used to evaluate and monitor graft function in single-lung transplant recipients. In this study, our objective was to determine whether quantitatively measured regional breath sounds, using a computerized breath sound analysis device, correlate with the standard methods of monitoring graft function used at our facility for single-lung transplant patients. ⋯ Objectively measured breath sound distribution in single-lung transplant patients can be readily quantified and correlated with graft function measurements. The method is quick and non-invasive and may provide useful information to aid clinicians in managing single-lung transplant patients.