Respiratory care
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The patterns and kinetics of changes in SpO2 in the 6-min walk test (6MWT) and cycling test have not been addressed in patients with COPD. ⋯ Measurement of start-vs-nadir ΔSpO2 rather than start-vs-end ΔSpO2 during the 6MWT is recommended, because start-vs-nadir ΔSpO2 is greater, and the nadir SpO2 is earlier. In both the 6MWT and the cycling exercise test, desaturation can be predicted with the oxygen-cost-diagram score, which has more capability to predict peak exercise performance than the 6MWT.
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Case Reports
Histopathology and exercise: a winning combination in pulmonary fibrosis. Report of a case.
The diffuse parenchymal lung diseases form a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by varying degrees of inflammation and fibrosis involving the space between epithelial and endothelial basement membranes. Among the diffuse parenchymal lung diseases of unknown etiology, one of the most common is usual interstitial pneumonia/idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which carries the worst prognosis. In contrast, nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, which belongs to the same diffuse parenchymal lung disease group, has a more favorable prognosis. ⋯ The long-term prognosis is excellent for patients with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia with a cellular pattern, as compared to patients with a fibrosing pattern. We describe here a patient with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia with a fibrosing pattern in a highly practiced runner, showing an unexpectedly long-term favorable course, and consider the possible role of exercise in the diagnosis and clinical course of the disease. This case reinforces the evidence that exercise training, which is a principal component of pulmonary rehabilitation, may have clinically important effects on functional exercise capacity, especially if it is delivered early in the course of the disease.
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We report a case of broncholithiasis secondary to pulmonary actinomycosis. Broncholithiasis has occasionally been reported in association with actinomycosis, but it is unclear if actinomycosis leads to lymph node calcification with subsequent erosion into the airway, producing a broncholith, or if an existing generic broncholith is secondarily colonized with Actinomyces. ⋯ The nodules included sulfur granules containing Gram-positive branching filamentous organisms consistent with Actinomyces. The finding of Actinomyces throughout the broncholith is strong evidence that the etiology of the broncholithiasis was a primary pulmonary Actinomyces infection.
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Editorial Comment
Aerosol Administration During Nasal CPAP in Newborns Can Be Optimized.