Pulmonary pharmacology & therapeutics
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Pulm Pharmacol Ther · Jun 2017
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyEffects of early administration of acetazolamide on the duration of mechanical ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or obesity-hypoventilation syndrome with metabolic alkalosis. A randomized trial.
Metabolic alkalosis (MA) inhibits respiratory drive and may delay weaning from mechanical ventilation (MV). MA is common in CO2-retainer patients that need MV. Acetazolamide (ACTZ) decreases serum bicarbonate concentration and stimulates respiratory drive. This study evaluated the effects of ACTZ on the duration of MV in patients with MA and COPD or obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) intubated with acute respiratory failure. ⋯ Among patients with MA and COPD or OHS, early treatment with ACTZ did not shorten significantly the duration of MV compared with placebo.
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Pulm Pharmacol Ther · Jun 2017
ReviewThe earlier, the better: Impact of early diagnosis on clinical outcome in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a complex disease with a highly variable clinical course and generally poor prognosis. Classified as a rare disease, significant increases in incidence have been recorded worldwide in recent years. Left untreated IPF is extremely debilitating with substantial personal, social and economic implications. ⋯ The importance of early and accurate diagnosis of IPF cannot be underestimated and it is the duty of all healthcare professionals to be vigilant to the symptoms of IPF and to involve a multidisciplinary team in diagnosing and managing IPF early in the course of disease.