Chest
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To ascertain the frequency and to describe the clinical and biochemical features of cirrhotic chylothorax. ⋯ Chylothorax is a rare and apparently underappreciated manifestation of cirrhosis resulting from transdiaphragmatic passage of chylous ascites. Its uniform biochemical characteristics can facilitate its separation from chylous effusions of different etiology, therefore avoiding potentially harmful diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Beneficial effect of atrial natriuretic peptide on pulmonary gas exchange in patients with acute lung injury.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of i.v. infusion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on hemodynamics, pulmonary gas exchange, and urine volume during mechanical ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in patients with acute lung injury. ⋯ The results suggest that ANP infusion induces diuresis and improves pulmonary gas exchange in patients with acute lung injury during mechanical ventilation with PEEP.
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The preoperative cardiopulmonary risk index (CPRI) is a multifactorial index intended to predict postoperative outcome after thoracic surgery. It combines cardiac and pulmonary information into one parameter that ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst. A CPRI > or = 4 has been advocated as an effective predictor of postoperative pulmonary and cardiac complications. This study prospectively evaluates the predictive value of CPRI in a large population of patients undergoing thoracic surgery. ⋯ The preoperative CPRI and its components are inadequate predictors of medical complications after thoracic surgery in a general population. In the subgroup of patients undergoing pneumonectomy, the index may be of some value in forecasting outcome.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Sputum rheology changes in cystic fibrosis lung disease following two different types of physiotherapy: flutter vs autogenic drainage.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of two frequently used physiotherapies (PTs) for the removal of bronchial secretions in cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease: autogenic drainage (AD) and the Flutter (Desitin in Germany). AD is believed to improve mucus clearance from peripheral to central airways due to airway caliber changes in combination with a special breathing technique. The Flutter is an easy-to-use physiotherapy device based on oscillations of a steel ball during expiration through a pipe-type device. ⋯ No significant changes were noted for FVC, FEV1, or sputum volume throughout the study. Sputum viscoelasticity (rigidity index), however, was significantly lower (p<0.01) after therapy with the Flutter in comparison with AD, predicting improvements in mucociliary and cough clearability of the secretions. In a companion in vitro experiment, oscillations generated by passing humidified air over CF sputum lining an acrylic tube connected to a Flutter de-ice were found to decrease sputum elasticity, as measured by a filancemeter. These findings suggest that applied oscillations are capable of decreasing mucus viscoelasticity within the airways at frequencies and amplitudes achievable with the Flutter device, and provide direct evidence that PT can reduce the viscoelasticity of sputum.