Respirology : official journal of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology
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Observational Study
CT-determined pulmonary artery to aorta ratio as a predictor of elevated pulmonary artery pressure and survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Elevated mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) is a significant prognostic indicator in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). It has been reported that the computed tomography-determined ratio of the diameter of the pulmonary artery to the aorta (PA:A) is correlated with mPAP in various respiratory diseases. However, in patients with IPF, whether the PA:A can be used to predict elevated mPAP and the prognostic value of the PA:A has not been fully evaluated. ⋯ Measurement of the PA:A is a useful and convenient method to predict elevated mPAP in IPF at initial evaluation. Moreover, a PA:A >0.9 was found to be an indicator of worse prognosis.
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Lobar and temporal histological variability in chronic bird-related hypersensitivity pneumonitis (BRHP) has not been clearly elucidated. This study was designed to evaluate the spatio-temporal histopathological variability in chronic BRHP. ⋯ Interlobar and intralobar histological variability is present in chronic BRHP. In several patients with chronic BRHP, a fibrotic NSIP pattern may be an early lesion that progresses to a UIP pattern.