Thorax
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The clinical presentation of Aspergillus lung disease is determined by the interaction between fungus and host. Invasive aspergillosis develops in severely immunocompromised patients, including those with neutropenia, and increasingly in the non-neutropenic host, including lung transplant recipients, the critically ill patients and patients on steroids. A high index of suspicion is required in patients without the classical risk factors as early presentation is usually silent and non-specific, pyrexia uncommon and timely treatment is crucial for survival. ⋯ Cases of extrinsic allergic alveolitis and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis have been observed after Aspergillus exposure. Asymptomatic colonisation of the respiratory tract needs close monitoring as it can lead to clinical disease especially with ongoing immunosuppression. The various syndromes should be viewed as a semicontinuous spectrum of disease and one form may evolve into another depending on the degree of ongoing immunosuppression.
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Review Meta Analysis
Effects of CPAP on body weight in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: a meta-analysis of randomised trials.
The impact of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) treatment with CPAP on weight is not clear. This meta-analysis was designed to assess whether OSA treatment with CPAP promotes changes in body mass index (BMI) and weight. ⋯ OSA treatment with CPAP promotes significant increase in BMI and weight. Additional therapies for body weight reduction must be recommended for overweight or obese patients with OSA initiated on CPAP.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with endobronchial valves for patients with heterogeneous emphysema and intact interlobar fissures (the BeLieVeR-HIFi trial): study design and rationale.
Although lung volume reduction surgery improves survival in selected patients with emphysema, there has been ongoing interest in developing and evaluating bronchoscopic approaches to try to reduce lung volumes with less morbidity and mortality. The placement of endobronchial valves is one such technique, and although some patients have had a significant improvement, responses have been inconsistent because collateral ventilation prevents lobar atelectasis. We describe the protocol of a trial (ISRCTN04761234) aimed to show that a responder phenotype, patients with heterogeneous emphysema and intact interlobar fissures on CT scanning, can be identified prospectively, leading to a consistent benefit in clinical practice.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
High-intensity training following lung cancer surgery: a randomised controlled trial.
Many patients with lung cancer are deconditioned with poor physical fitness. Lung resection reduces physical fitness further, impairing the patient's ability to function in daily life. ⋯ In patients recently operated for lung cancer, high-intensity endurance and strength training was well tolerated and induced clinically significant improvements in peak oxygen uptake, Tlco, muscular strength, total muscle mass, functional fitness and QoL. This study may provide a basis for exercise therapy after lung cancer surgery.
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Having established an ambulatory service for patients with suspected and proven PE, we reviewed our outcomes. All patients referred from June 2010 to May 2012 were analysed. Of 971 patients referred, 905 underwent complete assessment (66 admitted as ineligible). 754 (77.7%) patients were discharged and required no follow-up. 96 (10.6%) patients had PE confirmed of whom 70 (72.9%) were managed as outpatients. 14 (1.6%) patients have died since attending the clinic; no death was related to PE. This audit shows that ambulatory investigation and management of selected low risk patients with suspected PE is safe and reduces hospital admissions.