Chest
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Inflammation may contribute to the pathobiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Deciphering the PAH fingerprint on the inflammation orchestrated by dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells, key driver and effector cells, respectively, of the immune system, may allow the identification of immunopathologic approaches to PAH management. ⋯ We have highlighted T helper 17 cell immune polarization in patients with PAH, as has been previously demonstrated in other chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.
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Comparative Study
Effect of hospital use of oral nutritional supplementation on length of stay, hospital cost, and 30-day readmissions among Medicare patients with COPD.
COPD is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Patients with COPD are at a high risk of nutritional deficiency, which is associated with declines in respiratory function, lean body mass and strength, and immune function. Although oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) has been associated with improvements in some of these domains, the impact of hospital ONS on readmission risk, length of stay (LOS), and cost among hospitalized patients is unknown. ⋯ ONS may be associated with reduced LOS, hospitalization cost, and readmission risk in hospitalized Medicare patients with COPD.
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A male lifelong nonsmoker aged 58 years with no prior asbestos exposure complained of gradual worsening breathlessness over 3 months. This was associated with abdominal and leg swelling and a 2-kg weight loss. ⋯ He had stage I left-side testicular seminoma treated with left-sided radical orchidectomy 10 years previous and recently received a diagnosis of Child's B alcoholic liver cirrhosis. His hepatitis B and C screen result was normal.
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Case Reports
A 43-year-old man with antisynthetase syndrome presenting with acute worsening of dyspnea.
A 43-year-old man with antisynthetase syndrome was seen in our pulmonary clinic for worsening dyspnea. He was recently diagnosed with antisynthetase syndrome because he had nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis on a surgical lung biopsy and polymyositis associated with anti-Jo-1 and anti-SSA-52 autoantibodies. ⋯ He had been taking prednisone 40 mg daily 2 months prior, which had been recently weaned to 20 mg daily. He had also been on mycophenolate mofetil but had recently discontinued it on his own.
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A 52-year-old white man presented to a pulmonary clinic for evaluation of a 2.3 × 1.7 cm lung nodule. The patient had originally presented to his cardiologist for palpitations. The palpitations were described as a "fluttering" sensation, occurring daily, more often at rest, but not associated with syncope. ⋯ He had a 1 pack-year smoking history and stopped cigarettes 30 years ago but still smoked two to three cigars monthly. His family history was only significant for early coronary artery disease. He was an avid marathon runner who worked as an athletic equipment manager for a prominent sports team in Arizona.