Annals of the American Thoracic Society
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Observational Study
High Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients with Moderate to Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
When obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) coexist in the so-called "overlap" syndrome, a high risk for mortality and morbidity has been reported. There is controversy about the prevalence of OSA in people affected by COPD. ⋯ OSA is highly prevalent in patients with moderate to severe COPD referred to pulmonary rehabilitation. Sleep quality is also poor among this selected group. These patients have greater-than-expected sleep-disordered breathing, which could be an important contributory factor to morbidity and mortality. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs should consider including a sleep assessment in patients with moderate to severe COPD and interventions when indicated to help reduce the impact of OSA in COPD.
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Open lung biopsy may be performed to guide therapy in mechanically ventilated patients with diagnostic uncertainty regarding etiology of pulmonary infiltrates. Current evidence for open lung biopsy in mechanically ventilated patients comes from single-center case series. ⋯ Among mechanically ventilated patients with respiratory failure of unclear etiology, lung biopsy yielded a wide range of diagnoses and was associated with a change in therapy in most patients.
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A bundled approach to intensive care unit (ICU) care known as "Awakening and Breathing Coordination, Delirium monitoring/management, and Early exercise/mobility" (ABCDE) has been proposed, with evidence supporting individual interventions as well as the bundle as a whole. Few data exist on the bundle's implementation and efficacy in community practice. ⋯ There is incomplete penetrance of aspects of ABCDE across ICUs in this highly motivated statewide quality improvement collaborative. Yet, implementation of exercise in the context of both sedation interruption and delirium screening was associated with improved self-reported mobility outcomes. Effective knowledge translation and implementation strategies may offer substantial benefits to ICU patients.
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In acute ascent to altitude, untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often replaced with central sleep apnea (CSA). In patients with obstructive sleep apnea who travel to altitude, it is unknown whether their home positive airway pressure (PAP) settings are sufficient to treat their obstructive sleep apnea, or altitude-associated central sleep apnea. ⋯ Acute altitude exposure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea treated with positive airway pressure is associated with hypoxemia, decreased sleep time, and increased frequency of hypopneas compared with baseline altitude. Application of positive airway pressure at altitude is associated with decreased central sleep apnea and increased sleep efficiency.
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Review Meta Analysis
Effects of opioids on breathlessness and exercise capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A systematic review.
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) commonly suffer from breathlessness, deconditioning, and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQL) despite best medical management. Opioids may relieve breathlessness at rest and on exertion in COPD. ⋯ Opioids improved breathlessness but not exercise capacity in severe COPD.