American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine
-
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Jul 2015
Loss of Lung Health from Young Adulthood and Cardiac Phenotypes in Middle Age.
Chronic lung diseases are associated with cardiovascular disease. How these associations evolve from young adulthood forward is unknown. Understanding the preclinical history of these associations could inform prevention strategies for common heart-lung conditions. ⋯ Patterns of loss of lung health are associated with specific cardiovascular phenotypes in middle age. Decline in FEV1/FVC ratio is associated with underfilling of the left heart and low cardiac output. Decline in FVC with preserved FEV1/FVC ratio is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. Cardiopulmonary interactions apparent with common complex heart and lung diseases evolve concurrently from early adulthood forward.
-
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Jul 2015
Effect of Direct-to-Consumer Advertising on Asthma Medication Sales and Healthcare Utilization.
The United States is one of only two countries that permit direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) of prescription drugs, and many questions remain regarding its effects. ⋯ Among this population, DTCA was associated with higher prescription sales and asthma-related emergency department use.
-
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. · Jul 2015
Determining the Ideal Strategy for Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Prevention: Cost-Benefit Analysis.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a common healthcare-associated infection with high associated cost and poor patient outcomes. Many strategies for VAP reduction have been evaluated. However, the combination of strategies with the optimal cost-benefit ratio remains unknown. ⋯ Despite their infrequent use, current data suggest that the use of prophylactic probiotics and subglottic endotracheal tubes are cost-effective for preventing VAP from the societal and hospital perspectives.