Chest
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Observational Study
PULMONARY FUNCTION AND RADIOLOGICAL FEATURES IN SURVIVORS OF CRITICAL COVID-19: A 3-MONTH PROSPECTIVE COHORT.
More than 20% of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 demonstrate ARDS requiring ICU admission. The long-term respiratory sequelae in such patients remain unclear. ⋯ Three months after hospital discharge, pulmonary structural abnormalities and functional impairment are highly prevalent in patients with ARDS secondary to COVID-19 who required an ICU stay. Pulmonary evaluation should be considered for all critical COVID-19 survivors 3 months after discharge.
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Inhalational exposures are increasingly recognized as contributing factors in interstitial lung disease (ILD). However, the characteristics of both exposures and exposed patients are not well understood. We hypothesized that domestic and occupational inhalational exposures would be common and associated with differences in demographics, clinical characteristics, and transplant-free survival in patients with all forms of ILD. ⋯ A standardized interview revealed most patients across all types of ILD had potentially relevant inhalational exposures. Exposures were markedly different based on demographics and were associated with worse transplant-free survival, but this survival difference was not significant after multivariable adjustment. Identification and avoidance of exposures represent actionable targets in ILD management.
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SARS-CoV-2 aerosolization during noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation may endanger health care professionals. Various circuit setups have been described to reduce virus aerosolization. However, these setups may alter ventilator performance. ⋯ Ventilator performance is significantly impacted by the circuit setup. A dual-limb circuit with oronasal mask should be used preferentially.