Current opinion in pulmonary medicine
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Establishing a diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and distinguishing it from other forms of interstitial lung diseases represents a common challenge in clinical practice. This review summarizes the latest literature and guidelines on HP while integrating some real-life conundrums. ⋯ The diagnosis of HP relies on the integration of multiples domains: clinical assessment of exposure, imaging, bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytosis and histopathological findings. These features are reviewed in multidisciplinary discussion and lead to an estimation of the degree of confidence for HP diagnosis. Further research is warranted to improve knowledge on the pathophysiology of HP and ultimately improve its diagnostic approaches.
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The pivotal phase III trials demonstrating efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) or nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) excluded patients with important and common comorbidities, including obesity, advanced chronic kidney disease, cirrhosis, cancer and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. Despite the lack of large prospective randomized control trials in these patient populations, the use of DOACs has led to a wealth of efficacy and safety data within these groups. ⋯ DOACs have revolutionized anticoagulant management and have become the cornerstone for VTE treatment and stroke prevention in NVAF. The decision to use DOACs must be individualized. Patient preference, underlying comorbidities and informed consent must always be considered when selecting the most appropriate anticoagulant.
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Sarcoidosis associated pulmonary hypertension (SAPH) is a well-recognised complication, associated with a seven-fold increase in mortality. This comprehensive review will summarise these recent developments and proposes the use of a phenotype-based management approach in SAPH. ⋯ SAPH is associated with worsened survival. A range of phenotypes are recognised in SAPH. Multimodality risk assessment in patients with SAPH is likely to be important and is an area that requires further work. Published evidence for pulmonary vasodilator therapies in SAPH with a Pulmonary arterial hypertension-like phenotype is encouraging so far, but multiple confounding factors affects the quality of the evidence. The role of immunosuppressive agents for improving pulmonary pressures is unclear. Urgent controlled trials are needed.