Chest
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Mounier-Kuhn syndrome (MKS) is a condition characterized by tracheobronchomegaly resulting from the loss or atrophy of musculoelastic fibers within the airway wall. Concomitant tracheobronchomalacia is seen in most patients with MKS, often leading to significant respiratory compromise due to bronchiectasis, increased dead space, and impaired secretion clearance. ⋯ An aggressive approach that targets central airway stabilization may improve outcomes for patients with MKS.
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Comparative Study
Dynamic hyperinflation, arterial blood oxygen, and airway oxidative stress in stable patients with COPD.
There is considerable evidence that oxidative stress is increased in patients with COPD, although little information is available about its relationship with the structural and functional alterations produced by COPD. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between 8-isoprostane in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of stable patients with COPD and the main parameters of the disease (such as dyspnea), stages of severity, lung parenchyma densities, lung function impairment, and exercise tolerance in order to identify the predictors of airway oxidative stress. ⋯ In stable patients with COPD, oxygen level and dynamic hyperinflation are related to airway oxidative stress.
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All stroke risk stratification schemes categorize a history of stroke as a "truly high" risk factor. Therefore, stratifying stroke risk in atrial fibrillation (AF) should perhaps concentrate on primary prevention. However, the risk factors for stroke also lead to an increase in the risk of bleeding. Our objective was to evaluate the agreement among the currently used stroke risk stratification schemes in "real-world" patients with AF in the primary prevention setting, their correlation with adverse events recorded during warfarin treatment, and the relationship between stroke and bleeding risk. ⋯ Stroke risk stratification models differed widely when categorizing subjects into the moderate- and high-stroke-risk categories. Bleeding and stroke risk were closely correlated and both were low among low-risk patients and were similarly high among moderate/high-risk groups.