The clinical respiratory journal
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Prognostic factors of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) currently recognized include changes in vital capacity and radiologic findings. However, most of the prognostic studies in IPF are based on clinical studies with preselected IPF populations. Therefore, we decided to analyze the factors influencing IPF prognosis based on the real-practice data from our IPF registry. ⋯ DLCO changes over time were shown as a better predictor of mortality compared with FVC changes in our study. In our opinion it is necessary to implement the DLCO analysis into clinical trials and routine practice.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized double-blind controlled trial comparing three sedation regimens during flexible bronchoscopy: Dexmedetomidine, alfentanil and lidocaine.
No standardized sedation protocol is available for flexible bronchoscopy (FB). ⋯ No consistent differences were present between the three regimens; however, each was more appropriate in certain patient profiles. We consequently proposed a protocol as a first step towards standardizing sedation practice in FB in a patient-tailored manner. A more comprehensive and detailed protocol including other sedative agents with their corresponding doses should be developed.
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Multicenter Study
The safety and efficacy of different methods for obtaining transbronchial lung cryobiopsy in diffuse lung diseases.
Most data on transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) are from single centers, with little evidence on the outcome of different methods for performing TBLC. ⋯ Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy was found to offer a reasonable yield in the diagnosis of DPLDs. The incidence of pneumothorax and moderate-to-severe bleeding was lower with the use of fluoroscopy and an occlusion balloon, respectively.
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Multicenter Study
A survey of knowledge and application of mechanical thromboprophylaxis among the medical staff of intensive care units in North China.
Mechanical prophylaxis with graduated compression stockings (GCS) or intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) is suggested for patients who are bleeding or at high risk for major bleeding. ⋯ A wide gap exists with regards to the knowledge and application of mechanical thromboprophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) between the medical staff of our country and abroad. Strengthened standardized training may help medical staff improve their understanding and application of mechanical thromboprophylaxis. Amelioration of concerns regarding IPC and GCS could help increase the rate of mechanical thromboprophylaxis for VTE, reduce the occurrence of VTE in ICUs and improve the prognosis of these critically ill patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
CPAP and EPAP elicit similar lung deflation in a non-equivalent mode in GOLD 3-4 COPD patients.
Lung hyperinflation is associated with inspiratory muscle strength reduction, nocturnal desaturation, dyspnea, altered cardiac function and poor exercise capacity in advanced COPD. ⋯ Twenty-one eligible COPD patients were studied (13 male/8 female, FEV1 % predicted of 36.5 ± 9.8). Both CPAP and EPAP demonstrated significant post-pre (Δ) changes for IC and PImax, with mean ΔIC for CPAP and EPAP of 200 ± 100 mL and 170 ± 105 mL (P = .001 for both) in 13 and 12 patients (responders) respectively. There were similar changes in % predicted IC and PImax (∼7%, P = .001 for both) for responders and poor responder/non-responder agreement depending on CPAP/EPAP mode (Kappa = .113, P = .604). There were no differences in CPAP and EPAP regarding intensity of lung deflation (P =.254) and no difference was measured regarding HR (P = .235) or SpO2 (P = .111). CONCLUSIONS: Both CPAP and EPAP presented a similar effect on lung deflation, without guaranteeing that the response to one modality would be predictive of the response to the other.