Chest
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Severe COPD can lead to cor pulmonale and emphysema and is associated with impaired left ventricular (LV) filling. We evaluated whether emphysema and airflow obstruction would be associated with changes in right ventricular (RV) structure and function and whether these associations would differ by smoking status. ⋯ Percent emphysema was associated with smaller RV volumes and lower mass. The relationship of emphysema to cardiac function is complex but likely involves increased pulmonary vascular resistance, predominantly with reduced cardiac output, pulmonary hyperinflation, and accelerated cardiopulmonary aging.
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Multicenter Study
The occurrence and impact of bacterial organisms complicating critical care illness associated with 2009 influenza A(H1N1) infection.
Although secondary infections are recognized as a cause of morbidity and mortality in seasonal influenza, their frequency, characteristics, and associated clinical outcomes in 2009 influenza A(H1N1) (A[H1N1])-related critical illness are unknown. ⋯ Culture-based evidence of secondary infections commonly complicates A(H1N1)-related critical illness and is associated with worse clinical outcomes despite nearly ubiquitous antibiotic administration.
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Multicenter Study
Reference values for cardiorespiratory response and fitness on the treadmill in a 20- to 85-year-old population.
Existing reference values for clinical exercise testing have been derived from small nonrandom samples, lacking women and older individuals and some with poor or no maximal end criteria. The objective was to study the cardiorespiratory response during maximal exercise in a representative predominantly Caucasian sample of men and women. ⋯ This study establishes reference values for V.O2max (absolute, relative to body weight and fat-free weight), maximal HR, oxygen pulse, BP, ventilation, breathing reserve, respiratory exchange ratio, and blood lactate concentration during maximal exercise on treadmill in a large population.