Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: what ’s known and what’s new
AbstractRecent investigations concerning ABPA have expanded our understanding of the disease. The diagnostic criteria for ABPA are not standardized. Novel analytic techniques have compared the varied diagnostic criteria even in the absence of a gold standard. Additional analyses have determined the sensitivity and specificity of various parameters for the diagnosis of ABPA, as well as combinations of several parameters that have extremely high specificity and sensitivity. New biomarkers have also been proposed to diagnosis and monitor ABPA. Research concerning specific antigenic triggers of the Th2 response and HLA polymor...
Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports - October 4, 2016 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
“Age” in lung transplantation: factors related to outcomes and other considerations
This report provides a summary of the pertinent topics and available evidence. (Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports)
Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports - August 12, 2016 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
The importance of patient selection for lung volume reduction
AbstractCOPD is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is a progressive disease for which there is currently no cure, limiting activities of daily living and worsening patients ’ quality of life. Emphysema involves the destruction of the lung parenchyma, the main pathogenic manifestation of which is pulmonary hyperinflation, which limits airflow and exercise impairment. In recent years, several treatments have been developed to reduce lung volume and improve ventilatory mechanics. Surgical treatment was used initially, though the high rate of mortality and perioperative complications has caused t...
Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports - August 3, 2016 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
The importance of frailty in lung transplantation and chronic lung disease
Abstract
Frailty is a state of functional decline and increased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes, associated with increased inflammation and dysregulated immune and physiological systems. Frailty plays an important role in morbidity and mortality in elderly patients and is emerging as an important risk factor in chronic diseases and solid organ transplant patients. There is no consensus as to the best frailty measure, and a multitude of options are available to researchers and clinicians. The prevalence in chronic lung disease and solid organ transplant varies by organ and frailty measurement type...
Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports - July 4, 2016 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
Airway complications in the lung transplant recipient
Abstract
Airway complications are a common source of morbidity and mortality following lung transplantation. Ischemia, infection, or technical issues may all contribute. We discuss surgical techniques to avoid airway complications, management of anastomotic strictures, and treatment options for post-anastomotic bronchial stenosis. Additional potential complications discussed include dehiscence and malacia, as well as management options for each. (Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports)
Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports - June 30, 2016 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
The critical care air transport experience
This article describes both the role of Air Force CCATT within the context of the integrated military AES and the CCATT mission experience in the deployed environment. The role of specialized transport teams and the expanding role of CCATT in a variety of noncombat operations will also be discussed. (Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports)
Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports - April 28, 2016 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
Sleep disorders related to deployment in active duty service members and veterans
Abstract
Active duty service members (ADSM) are a unique population at risk for complex health issues; among the most frequent are sleep disorders. Sleep disturbances are prevalent, debilitating, and persistent in ADSM following combat deployments. Multiple factors associated with deployment and combat operations place ADSM at risk for acute sleep disturbances. If untreated, acute sleep disturbances can become chronic sleep disorders that result in physical and mental impairments and decreased military readiness. Sleep disorders are frequently comorbid with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumat...
Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports - April 19, 2016 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
The science of CPAP
Abstract
Excellent reviews have been written recently on both efficacy and equipment options of various types of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) systems (J Thorac Dis 7:1323-42, 2015), as well as technical descriptions of how different makes and models of PAP systems operate (Med Devices 8:425-37, 2015). However, there is little in the literature discussing fundamental aspects of CPAP such as alternative options for pressure selection, as well as how mask interface can impact successful patient treatment. Therefore, in this paper, although many of the commonly discussed aspects of CPAP will be ...
Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports - March 27, 2016 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
Evaluation of pulmonary symptoms following military deployment
Abstract
Evaluating and defining the presence of pulmonary disease in relationship to military deployment to Southwest Asia can be challenging. There are defined environmental exposures such as geologic dusts, burn pit smoke, and urban pollution for which establishing symptom causality may be difficult. With lack of information on the indigenous population in this region, it is yet undetermined whether repeated deployments could potentially be a contributing factor. While there is a generalized increase in reported respiratory symptoms, most symptoms tend to resolve post-deployment. Published studies have...
Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports - March 27, 2016 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
Practical management of burns and inhalation injury
Abstract
Burn injuries are often associated with profound physiologic derangements due to the nature of the underlying injuries and the overwhelming inflammatory response that ensues. In recent decades, a number of advancements have been made in the management of thermal burns. Inhalation injury frequently occurs in patients with thermal burns and can be a significant source of morbidity and mortality. Due to the intense inflammatory response that occurs after a burn injury, early aggressive volume resuscitation is necessary to minimize the risk of developing multiorgan dysfunction. Adequate sedation and ...
Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports - March 18, 2016 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
Blast-related lung injuries
Abstract
Blast-related lung injuries are occurring with increased frequency in a variety of circumstances, necessitating that both civilian and military providers across the healthcare spectrum understand how to promptly diagnose and manage these injury patterns. Primary, secondary, and tertiary blast injury mechanisms are most commonly encountered and can result in primary blast lung injury, air embolism, pulmonary contusion, rib fractures, and penetrating lung injuries. Primary blast lung injury occurs when a blast wave injures the lung parenchyma and vasculature and presents as acute dyspnea, cough, an...
Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports - March 18, 2016 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
Economic and social costs of sleep apnea
Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a relatively common disorder that affects both children and adults. The deleterious health effects of untreated OSA not only manifest clinically in individual patients but also are associated with an increased overall social and economic burden. In this review, we discuss the direct and indirect costs of untreated OSA, cost-effectiveness of various diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, work-related accidents and decreased productivity, and association with motor vehicle collisions. Mounting evidence highlights the need to recognize OSA not only as a disorder that...
Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports - March 17, 2016 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
Transfusions in trauma
Abstract
Trauma associated with massive bleeding carries a high mortality even in the setting of early care in a trauma center. Such patients develop a significant coagulopathy soon after injury which contributes to these poor outcomes. Practices such as aggressive resuscitation with crystalloid fluids and red blood cell (RBC) transfusions appear to be associated with worse outcomes when compared to a practice of early blood product resuscitation with a ratio of plasma to platelets to RBCs approaching 1:1:1. Early therapy with tranexamic acid (TXA) appears beneficial as well, perhaps helping to prevent fi...
Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports - March 17, 2016 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
Sleep disordered breathing in hospitalized patients
Abstract
Sleep is a ubiquitous phenomenon that is both adaptive and restorative. Obstructive sleep apnea, obesity–hypoventilation syndrome, primary central sleep apnea, and Cheyne–Stokes breathing/complex sleep apnea are the most common sleep-related breathing disorders encountered in the hospitalized population. Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is commoner in hospitalized patients with obesity, congestive cardiac failure, COPD, and osteoarthritis. Various hospital and ICU-related factors contribute to disruption of sleep architecture and circadian rhythm. Sleep deprivation has been linked to higher i...
Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports - March 16, 2016 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
New oncogenes drivers in lung cancer —new therapeutic targets
< h3 class= " a-plus-plus " > Abstract < /h3 > < p class= " a-plus-plus " > Many advances have been achieved during the last decade in the field of lung cancer molecular biology, leading to the identification of potential new oncogene drivers and new therapeutic targets. However, only two targetable biomarkers are currently approved for lung cancer treatment: < em class= " a-plus-plus " > EGFR < /em > activating mutations and < em class= " a-plus-plus " > EML4-ALK < /em > rearrangements. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of non-small cell lung cancer and was the first to be studied. Indeed, most of lung adenocarcino...
Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports - February 29, 2016 Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research
