Chest
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Dyslipidemia is often comorbid with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but few population-based studies have investigated their relationship. Short sleep duration is associated with hypertension and diabetes; however, its association with dyslipidemia is not well known. We investigated relationships among OSA, sleep duration, and the lipid profile in a community-based study. ⋯ Short sleep duration was associated with TC levels and RDI was positively associated with TG levels among working-aged men in an urban Japanese company. Correcting the status of OSA and/or short sleep duration might improve the lipid profile and cardiovascular consequences.
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The new Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) update includes airflow limitation, history of COPD exacerbations, and symptoms to classify and grade COPD severity. We aimed to determine their distribution in 11 well-defined COPD cohorts and their prognostic validity up to 10 years to predict time to death. ⋯ The new GOLD grading produces an uneven split of the COPD population, one third each in A and D patient groups, and its prognostic validity to predict time to death is no different than the old GOLD staging based in spirometry only.
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As peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) use has increased, so has the upper extremity DVT rate. PICC diameter may pose the most modifiable risk for PICC-associated DVT. ⋯ A significant increase in the use of single-lumen PICCs in addition to the institutional adoption of smaller 5F triple-lumen PICCs was associated with a significant decrease in the rate of PICC-associated DVT.
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Transbronchial biopsies using standard forceps (FTBBxs) are often limited by crush artifact and their small size. To date, there have been no studies aimed at assessing the safety and efficacy of cryoprobe biopsies (CPBxs) in the population of patients who have undergone lung transplants. We present the safety profile and biopsy results from the fi rst 21 procedures in a pilot study comparing CPBx to FTBBx in patients after lung transplantation. ⋯ The use of the cryoprobe is a safe, alternative technique to FTBBx during post-lung transplant bronchoscopy. Further studies are needed to determine if larger samples obtained with CPBx translate to an increased diagnostic yield.
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It is conventionally taught that the intercostal artery is shielded in the intercostal groove of the superior rib. The continuous course and variability of the intercostal artery, and factors that may influence them, have not been described in a large number of arteries in vivo. ⋯ The intercostal artery is exposed within the intercostal space in the first 6 cm lateral to the spine. The variability of its vertical position is greater in older patients and in more cephalad rib spaces.