Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases
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Home oxygen therapy is a mainstay of treatment for patients with various cardiopulmonary diseases. In spite of warnings against smoking while using home oxygen, many patients sustain burn injuries. ⋯ This single-center analysis is one of the largest describing burn injuries stemming from smoking while using home oxygen therapy. We identified the morbidity and mortality associated with these injuries. Ongoing education and careful consideration of prescribing home oxygen therapy for known smokers is highly encouraged.
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Observational Study
The Use of Polymerase Chain Reaction Amplification for the Detection of Viruses and Bacteria in Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia.
Pathogens are often not identified in severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), and the few studies using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques for virus detection are from temperate countries. ⋯ Viruses and bacteria were detected in 7 of 10 patients with severe CAP with the aid of PCR amplification. Viral infection appears to be independently associated with lower mortality.
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Nintedanib is approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and has been shown to slow disease progression by reducing annual lung function decline. ⋯ Nintedanib treatment was generally well tolerated and was associated with FVC stabilization in the majority of IPF patients in this CUP setting where most patients were not treatment naïve. Our data are in agreement with the previously published data.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Improvements in Lung Diffusion Capacity following Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COPD with and without Ventilation Inhomogeneity.
Lung diffusing capacity (DLCO) and lung volume distribution predict exercise performance and are altered in COPD patients. If pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) can modify DLCO parameters is unknown. ⋯ In COPD patients undergoing a PR program, different pathophysiological mechanisms may drive improvements in DLCO, while ventilation inhomogeneity may limit improvements in exercise tolerance.