Respiratory care
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Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a transient left-ventricular dysfunction that typically occurs in elderly women due to emotional or physical stress. An 85-y-old woman underwent flexible bronchoscopy to evaluate her malignant lymphoma. ⋯ Magnetic resonance imaging of her brain after 1 d showed post-convulsive encephalopathy. We believe that these 2 consecutive incidents were caused by the physical stress of the flexible bronchoscopy.
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Although the internet is an important tool for entertainment, work, learning, shopping, and communication, it is also a possible source for information on health and disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proportion of subjects with COPD in São Paulo, Brazil, who use the internet to obtain information about their disease. ⋯ A low percentage of subjects with COPD in São Paulo use the internet as a tool to obtain information about their disease. This search is associated with having a computer, low dyspnea score, and high socioeconomic level.
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Although it is useful for COPD patients to relieve their dyspnea by bracing their arms, the relationships between the arm bracing posture and expiratory flow limitation (EFL) and lung volume are unknown. Whether arm bracing affects dyspnea, EFL, and lung volume in elderly COPD patients was investigated. ⋯ The decreased EFL in the arm bracing position may be caused by breathing at a higher lung volume than in the erect position, which may be one of the factors relieving dyspnea in elderly COPD patients.
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Editorial Comment
Aerosol Delivery With Different Interfaces: Redirecting Our Focus.